i  ■  ' 


i 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Getty  Research  Institute 


https://archive.org/details/phantomflowerstrOOunse 


A  TREATISE 


ON  THE  ART  OF  PRODUCING 


BOSTON: 

J.  E.  TILTON  YAND  COMPANY. 

1 8  G  6  . 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1864,  by 
J.  E.  TILTON  AND  COMPANY, 

In  tht^  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


Press  work  by  John  Wilson  and  Sons. 


THE  GETTY  CENTER 
LIBRARY 


INTRODUCTION . 

CHAP. 

I.  Anatomy  of  a  Leaf.  Geeen  and  Dried  Leaves. 

II.  Preparing  the  Leaves  and  Flowers. 

III.  Bleaching  the  Leaves  and  Seed-Vessels. 

IV.  Arranging  the  Bouquets.  . 

V.  Illustrated  List  of  Plants  for  Skeletonizing. 

VI.  Seed-Vessels.  ....... 

VII.  The  Wonders  and  Uses  of  a  Leaf. 

VIII.  Leaf  Printing.  ....... 

IX.  Commercial  Value  of  the  Art. 

Preservation  of  Flowers.  .  .  .  . 


FAGE 

.  15 

.  20 
.  29 

.  39 

.  48 

.  03 

.  81 
.  87 

.  92 


1* 


(5) 


i 


HANTOM  BOUQUETS,  so  uni¬ 
versally  admired  by  all  wlio  can 
appreciate  the  chaste  and  beautiful 
in  art,  although  but  recently  in¬ 
troduced  to  the  notice  of  the  American  public, 
are  no  new  thing. 

The  art  of  preparing  the  fibrous  skeletons  of 
plants  was  understood  and  practised  by  the 
Chinese  many  centuries  ago,  and  there  are  still 
to  be  found  in  our  fancy  stores  reasonably  per¬ 
fect  specimens  of  these  skeletonized  leaves, 
generally  painted  and  decorated  with  Oriental 


(7) 


INTRODUCTION. 


designs  and  mottoes,  according  to  the  taste  „of 
that  remarkable  people.  Whether  they  have 
ever  advanced  so  far  as  the  grouping  or 
arranging  of  these  delicate  tissues  into  any¬ 
thing  approaching  a  bouquet,  we  cannot  say ; 
as  no  evidences  of  their  faculty  for  producing 
such  combinations  have  reached  this  country ; 
or  whether,  if  they  had  progressed  so  far,  their 
stiff  and  awkward  ideas  of  artistic  effect  would 
agree  with  the  cultivated  taste  of  Americans, 
remains  to  be  imagined. 

The  works  of  Chinese  art  which  reach  us, 
whether  on  lacquered  tables,  work-boxes,  waiters, 
&c. ,  show  how  widely  their  conceptions  of  beau¬ 
tiful  curves  and  graceful  postures  differ  from  our 
own  standards  of  beauty.  But  be  this  as  it 
may,  American  tourists,  within  the  last  few 
years,  have  been  struck  with  the  great  beauty 
of  these  Phantom  Bouquets,  as  exhibited  in 
the  fancy  bazaars  of  European  cities.  These 
were  evidently  the  work  of  the  few  who,  in 
other  lands  than  theirs,  had  acquired  a  knowl¬ 
edge  of  the  art.  A  number  of  these  bouquets 


INTRODUCTION. 


9 


thus  found  their  way  to  this  country,  where 
they  fortunately  came  under  the  notice  of  skilful 
and  cultivated  minds,  by  whom  the  art  of 
producing  them  has  been  so  patiently  and 
successfully  pursued,  that  the  specimens  now 
produced  in  this  country  surpass,  in  richness, 
brilliancy,  and  faultless  nicety  of  preparation 
and  arrangement,  all  that  have  been  prepared 
in  foreign  lands. 

A  recent  English  critic,  in  commenting  on  the 
progress  of  the  art,  avers  that  leaf  bleaching  has 
been  known  traditionally  from  time  immemorial, 
in  Europe  and  Asia,  by  those  families  in  which 
botanical' tastes  have  been  hereditary.  In  Great 
Britain  and  on  the  Continent,  as  well  as  in  this 
country,  he  says  that  among  the  quaint  old  curi¬ 
osities  to  be  found  in  the  houses  of  retired  sea- 
captains,  specimens  of  skeleton  leaves  are  to  be 
found,  covered  with  such  pictures  as  only  a 
Chinese  artist  could  execute.  The  process  has 
been  described  in  London  publications  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  and  was  probably  intro¬ 
duced  into  England  from  Italy  during  the  reign 


10 


INTRO  D  UCTION. 


of  Elizabeth.  The  critic  concludes  his  his¬ 
torical  summary  with  saying  that  "the  fact  so 
long  known  in  Europe  was  circulated  as  a 
secret  in  Philadelphia  in  1860  !  ” 

But  greater  secrets  in  the  arts  and  sciences 
than  the  skeletonizing  of  a  leaf,  all  exclusively 
of  American  origin,  remain  at  this  moment 
wholly  unknown  to  the  countrymen  of  the 
critic;  while  the  particular  art  in  question,  when 
it  had  fairly  attracted  the  notice  of  American 
taste  and  ingenuity,  has  in  the  brief  period  of 
five  years  received  at  American  hands  a  more 
perfectly  artistic  development  than  all  England 
was  capable  of  accomplishing  in  two  centuries. 
Accident  alone  has  kept  us  in  ignorance  of  an 
art  distinguished  only  for  its  gracefulness ;  but 
the  same  accident  keeps  Europe  profoundly 
ignorant  of  a  multitude  of  processes,  of  every¬ 
day  use  with  us,  which  lighten  and  economize 
human  labor,  and  contribute  largely,  not  only 
to  public  and  private  comfort,  but  to  national 
wealth. 

Five  years  ago  the  first  Phantom  Bouquet 


INTRODUCTION. 


11 


ever  offered  for  sale  on  this  side  of  the  Atlan¬ 
tic,  was  made  by  an  American  lady,  and  was 
exhibited  in  the  spacious  window  of  a  large 
jewelry  establishment  in  one  of  our  chief  cities. 
Although  surrounded  by  flashing  silver  ware 
and  sparkling  gems,  yet  the  little  bouquet, 
composed  of  only  a  few  leaves  and  flowers, 
attracted  the  highest  admiration  of  all  who 
beheld  it,  and  as  may  be  supposed,  it  soon 
found  an  appreciative  purchaser  at  a  high  price. 
A  few  others  (all  that  could  then  be  furnished) 
were  disposed  of  at  the  same  establishment 
during  that  season.  This  public  display  served 
to  awaken  a  wide  interest  in  the  subject, 
stimulating  inquiry  into  the  wonderful  art  by 
which  the  perishable  leaves  and  blossoms  of  the 
forest  and  the  garden  are  converted  into  durable 
illustrations  of  the  complex  structure  of  the 
floral  world. 

As  is  usual  with  so  decided  a  novelty,  many 
amateurs  were  ready  to  experiment  the  follow¬ 
ing  year.  Among  numerous  lamentable  failures, 
a  few  only  were  partially  successful  in  their 


12 


IN  TROD  UCTION. 


attempts  to  reproduce  them.  We  say  partially, 
for  in  many  cases  a  fine  leaf  was  marred  by 
stains  or  spots,  or  blemishes  occasioned  by  the 
ravages  of  insects ;  and  although  otherwise  it 
may  have  been  perfectly  skeletonized,  and  the 
shape  preserved  entire  and  beautiful,  yet  these 
blemishes  served  to  spoil  the  effect,  and  to 
destroy  its  value  for  a  bouquet.  Many  of  the 
less  particular  artists  did  not  hesitate  to  mix 
a  few  of  such  defective  specimens  in  their 
arrangements ;  but  most  persons  of  correct  taste 
preferred  to  group  gracefully  their  half  dozen 
perfect  leaves  under  a  small  shade,  than  to 
make  a  towering  bouquet  of  imperfect  or  dis¬ 
colored  ones. 

The  time  which  has  elapsed  since  the  art  was 
first  introduced  here  has  been  a  season  of 
patient  experiment  and  investigation.  There 
were  no  published  essays  to  which  the  learner 
could  refer  for  directions.  All  must  be  studied 
and  acquired  by  laborious  and  careful  observa¬ 
tion,  and  often  whole  seasons  would  be  lost 
while  ascertaining  the  peculiar  properties  of  a 


INTRODUCTION. 


13 


single  leaf,  the  process  being  too  slow  to  allow  of 
a  second  gathering  before  Autumn  had  stripped 
the  trees. 

The  first  summer  of  the  writer’s  experiments 
Avas  lost  in  vain  attempts ;  and  bushels  of  care¬ 
fully  gathered  leaves  Avere  wasted  for  want  of  a 
feAV  items  of  knoAvledge,  which,  to  a  careless 
operator,  Avould  seem  of  small  importance. 
Five  years  of  practice  have  taught  her  many 
things  indispensable  to  a  successful  prosecution 
of  the  art,  such  as  are  neither  understood  nor 
appreciated  by  those  Avho  have  just  commenced 
the  work.  It  is  the  object  of  these  pages  to 
furnish  plain  and  practical  directions  for  pro¬ 
ducing  perfect  Bouquets  of  Skeleton  Flowers, 
together  with  a  list  of  such  plants  as  Avill 
repay  the  artist’s*  labor. 

A  late  writer  on  this  subject  enthusiastically 
declares  that  the  art  is  yet  in  its  infancy,  and 
expresses  his  belief  that  diligent  experiment 
Avill  lead  to  results  even  more  wonderful  than 
any  that  have  yet  been  achieved.  In  the  con¬ 
fident  belief  that  such  Avill  be  the  case,  Ave 


2 


14 


IN  T  It  ODUCTION. 


shall  feel  glad  to  have  given  our  readers  an 
impulse  in  the  right  direction,  and  can  assure 
them  that  by  closely  following  the  rules  here 
given,  success  will  certainly  reward  their  efforts. 
Those  whom  repeated  failures  may  have  so  far 
discouraged  as  to  induce  them  to  abandon  the 
pursuit,  will  be  stimulated  to  renew  their 
interesting  labors.  Others,  whose  entire  igno¬ 
rance  of  the  process  may  have  withheld  them 
from  even  beginning,  will  be  induced  to  make 
a  trial.  The  probability  is,  that  among  the 
aspirants  thus  stimulated  to  enter  the  field, 
some  superior  genius  will  be  found,  at  whose 
animating  touch  this  beautiful  art  will  receive 
a  brilliancy  of  development  surpassing  all  that 
could  have  been  imagined  by  those  who  pio¬ 
neered  it  into  public  notice. 


ANATOMY  OF  A  LEAF;  GREEN  AND  DRIED 
LEAVES. 

ANCIFUL,  though  expressive,  is  the  ap¬ 
pellation  of  “Phantom”  or  “Spiritual” 
Flowers  ;  it  was  given  to  the  first  Amer¬ 
ican  specimens  by  those  who  produced 
them,  and  it  has  since  become  so  general  as  to  be 
everywhere  understood  and  accepted  as  their  most  ap¬ 
propriate  name. 

Referring  to  the  process  by  which  these  flowers  are 
prepared,  a  Christian  friend  of  the  author  very  beau¬ 
tifully  used  them  as  emblems  of  the  Resurrection,  and 
as  illustrating  the  ideas,  —  “  Sown  a  natural  body,  raised 
a  spiritual  body,”  and,  “  this  corruptible  must  put  on 
incorruption,  and  this  mortal  immortality.” 


(15) 


16 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


The  process  through  which  the  green  and  healthy 
leaves  must  pass  is  literally  one  of  corruption,  for 
during  the  warm  summer  days,  as  the  work  goes  slowly 
on,  they  become  blackened  and  offensive,  and  often 
infested  with  insects  ;  and  yet  these  conditions  are  ab¬ 
solutely  necessary  to  secure  their  final  and  perfect 
beauty.  But  when  the  work  of  corruption  and  decay 
is  fully  accomplished,  there  remains  after  all,  in  the 
midst  of  that  disgusting  compound  of  offensive  odors 
and  green  slime,  the  beautifully  faultless  framework 
of  leaves  and  flowers,  ready  to  be  rescued  and  purified. 
On  the  conduct  of  this  portion  of  the  work,  and  the 
subsequent  cleansing  and  bleaching  of  the  delicate 
tissues,  the  whole  thing  depends.  The  operator  may 
consider  herself  eminently  successful  if  she  is  able  to 
present,  as  finished  specimens,  one  half  the  number  of 
leaves  originally  gathered.  Yet  if  a  single  bouquet  of 
perfect  phantoms,  white  and  clear  of  blemishes,  should 
result  from  the  summer’s  labor,  she  will  feel  herself 
abundantly  compensated  for  her  pains,  and  may  delight 
her  eyes  for  many  years  to  come  with  this  unfading 
remembrancer  of  the  localities  from  which  they  may 
have  been  gathered,  or  of  the  friends  who  may  have 
assisted  in  the  pleasing  employment. 

The  substance  of  these  curious  leaf-tissues  is  gen- 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


17 


erally  classed  by  botanists  under  two  distinct  heads  — 
the  vascular,  or  veinwork,  and  the  cellular,  or  inter¬ 
mediate  green  matter  which  fills  up  the  interstices  and 
gives  coherence  and  solidity  to  the  leaf.  In  under¬ 
taking  to  produce  these  skeleton  leaves,  the  great 
problem  is  how  best  to  destroy  and  remove  the  cellu¬ 
lar  and  more  perishable  portion,  while  we  preserve 
intact  the  network  of  veins  or  nerves  by  which  the 
whole  is  kept  in  shape,  and  which  perform  the  same 
office  in  the  leaf-structure  as  the  nerves  and  veins 
within  the  human  body. 

Different  parties  will  generally  be  found  to  have  dif¬ 
ferent  ways  of  doing  the  same  thing.  While  we  shall 
endeavor  faithfully  to  describe  that  which  is  probably 
the  more  popular  plan,  we  shall,  nevertheless,  give  the 
preference  to  the  slow  but  sure  process  which  our  own 
experience  has  proved  to  be  the  most  reliable. 

The  traveller  who  visits  localities  which  have  been 
celebrated  in  history,  or  made  immortal  by  the  visita¬ 
tions  of  the  muse,  desires  to  preserve  some  mementoes 
of  his  pilgrimage  to  scenes  so  hallowed.  The  most 
simple  as  well  as  the  most  usual  keepsakes,  are  sprays 
of  leaves  or  flowers,  pressed  between  the  pages  of  a 
book,  for  future  preservation  in  the  album  or  the  port¬ 
folio.  But  all  green  leaves,  when  thus  pressed  and 


2* 


18 


PHANTOM  FLO  WE  PS. 


dried,  become  very  brittle,  and  will  break  upon  the 
slightest  attempt  to  fold  or  bend  them.  If  placed  in 
vases,  they  will  soon  curl  and  lose  their  color,  com¬ 
pelling  their  early  dismissal  from  the  parlor.  Not  so 
after  passing  through  the  skeletonizing  process.  They 
then  become  strong  and  flexible,  may  be  folded  or  bent 
in  any  way  desired,  and,  although  appearing  to  be  so 
frail  and  delicate,  will,  in  most  cases,  bear  a  consid¬ 
erable  amount  of  handling  and  pressure  without  tear¬ 
ing.  Yet  it  Avill  be  seen  by  the  directions  which  follow 
these  preliminary  remarks,  that  the  greatest  care  is 
required  to  manipulate  the  fragile  fabrics,  as  the 
slightest  pidl  in  the  wrong  way,  or  the  neglect  of 
precautions  and  rules,  which  to  the  learner  may  seem 
unimportant,  may  spoil  the  most  promising  attempts, 
and  disappoint  the  hopes  and  expectations  of  an  entire 
season. 

This  is  especially  true  in  regard  to  the  bleaching 
process.  During  the  first  season  of  the  writer’s  ex¬ 
periments,  whole  jars  of  perfect  specimens  were  lost  in 
passing  through  this  stage  of  the  preparation,  in  con¬ 
sequence  of  her  ignorance  of  the  true  method,  subse¬ 
quently  acquired  by  patient  and  careful  study.  Having 
now  ascertained  the  proper  method  of  proceeding,  it  is 
a  rare  thing  to  lose  a  leaf,  or  even  a  spray  of  fern,  the 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


19 


latter  being,  perhaps,  the  most  difficult  of  preparation, 
because  of  its  exquisite  delicacy  of  structure,  in  both 
respects  exceeding  any  in  the  list  of  plants  that  we  shall 
give  hereafter,  while  it  is  indispensable  to  the  complete 
and  graceful  bouquet. 


PREPARING  THE  LEAVES  AND  FLOWERS. 

HEN  Spring  has  once  more  dressed  both 
tree  and  shrub  in  their  gorgeous  livery 
of  green,  the  artist  begins  to  look 
around  her  for  the  most  suitable  sub¬ 
jects  for  experiment.  The  influence  of  the  new  study 
on  her  mind  becomes  immediately  apparent  to  herself. 
The  trees,  which  have  heretofore  appeared  to  her  as 
presenting  an  unbroken  uniformity  of  foliage,  now  dis¬ 
play  their  leaves  to  her  sharpened  observation  with  a 
wealth  of  capabilities  before  unknown  to  her,  and  she 
is  surprised  to  learn  how  infinite  a  variety  exists  in 
the  vegetable  world ;  variety,  not  only  in  size  and  out¬ 
line,  but  in  those  other  characteristics  which  are  so 


(20) 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


21 


important  to  her  purpose,  strength  of  fibre,  and  free¬ 
dom  from  blemishes  occasioned  by  the  destructive  rav¬ 
ages  of  insects.  As  observation  is  directed  to  the 
subject,  so  the  mind  becomes  expanded  under  the  in¬ 
fluence  of  the  new  study.  The  surprising  difference 
between  the  leaves  now  first  becomes  apparent.  They 
are  seen  to  be  serrated  or  entire,  ovate,  accumulate, 
cordate,  or  irregular.  The  magnificent  luster  of  the 
Ivy  and  the  Magnolia  now,  for  the  first  time,  attract 
attention,  and  secure  for  them  a  new  admiration.  As 
the  season  advances,  she  will  be  struck  with  the  nu¬ 
merous  changes  to  which  the  leaves  are  subject,  before 
the  chill  winds  of  Autumn  strip  them  from  the  trees, 
thence  depositing  them  in  rustling  piles  upon  the 
ground.  As  incidental  to  the  study,  the  habits  of  a 
multitude  of  insect  depredators  will  be  noticed,  afford¬ 
ing  new  subjects  for  surprise,  and  fresh  accessions  of 
knowledge.  Everywhere  the  wonders  of  the  Divine 
Hand  will  be  displayed  under  conditions  to  which  she 
had  been  a  stranger  ;  and  the  mysteries  of  Nature,  thus 
unfolded,  will  infinitely  surpass  all  which  these  pages 
can  be  made  to  contain. 

Without  some  directions  to  guide  her,  the  enthusias¬ 
tic  learner,  in  haste  to  begin  the  work,  gathers  indis¬ 
criminately  from  forest  and  garden,  selecting  leaves 


22 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


remarkable  only  for  their  ample  size  or  pleasing  shape, 
and  places  the  whole  diversified  collection  in  the  pre¬ 
pared  receptacle  to  undergo  the  process  of  maceration. 
In  her  ignorance  of  certain  first  principles,  she  does 
not  imagine  that  she  has  overlooked  some  of  the  most 
indispensable  ingredients  of  success,  which,  standing 
as  they  do  at  the  very  threshold  of  the  undertaking, 
must  not  only  influence,  but,  when  disregarded,  must 
render  absolutely  futile  all  subsequent  steps  in  a  pro¬ 
cess  which,  under  any  circumstances,  is  exceedingly 
tedious.  We  may  suppose  that  in  her  natural  im¬ 
patience  to  commence  her  labors  she  has  gathered  up 
an  ample  store  of  leaves,  immediately  on  their  attain¬ 
ing  their  full  growth.  It  is  true  that  in  this  early 
preparation  she  has  anticipated  the  attacks  of  de¬ 
structive  insects,  but  the  leaf  will  then  be  too  immature 
to  withstand  the  macerating  process.  The  fibres  will 
be  found  too  succulent,  and  not  sufficiently  ligneous,  to 
sustain  the  pressure  and  handling  always  necessary  to 
produce  a  perfectly  skeletonized  leaf.  After  probably 
two  months  of  patient  watchfulness,  she  is  consequently 
compelled  to  throw  away  her  choice  collection,  the 
whole  having  become  a  mass  of  pulp,  in  which  there 
is  neither  stem  nor  fibre  to  identify  a  single  leaf. 

By  this  time  the  season  has  advanced,  and  the 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


23 


foliage  on  the  trees  has  undergone  important  changes. 
Many  of  the  leaves  having  lost  their  early  succulency, 
have  assumed  a  strong  ligneous  character.  In  place  of 
excessive  pulpiness,  an  undue  proportion  of  fibre  per¬ 
vades  the  whole  structure  of  the  leaf.  It  has,  in  fact, 
become  too  old  for  maceration.  In  other  cases  the  leaf 
has  been  either  stung  by  an  insect,  and  the  channels 
through  which  the  sap  so  mysteriously  circulates  hav¬ 
ing  become  obstructed  by  the  poisonous  infusion  in¬ 
jected  into  them,  its  shape  becomes  distorted,  or  its 
surface  is  disfigured  by  blisters.  Others  have  been  at¬ 
tacked  by  a  different  tribe  of  enemies,  who,  by  half 
devouring  the  leaf,  as  effectually  destroy  it  for  the 
artist.  The  latter  catastrophe  invariably  overtakes  the 
foliage  of  the  Elm,  the  Magnolia,  and  the  Maple. 
These  facts  we  have  verified  in  our  own  experience ; 
and  having  been  compelled  thus  to  learn  them,  the 
resulting  knowledge  was  acquired  only  from  repeated 
and  trying  disappointments.  They  make  evident  the 
importance  of  knowing  the  exact  point  in  the  season 
at  which  each  leaf  is  in  proper  condition  for  the  artist’s 
hand. 

Another  error  consists  in  placing  in  the  macerating 
vessel  many  different  sorts  of  leaves,  without  a  knowl¬ 
edge  of  their  chemical  properties.  For  instance,  those 


24 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


of  the  Oak,  Chestnut,  Walnut,  Birch,  and  Hickory 
contain  so  large  a  quantity  of  tannin  as  to  render 
it  almost  impossible  to  macerate  them  ha  the  usual 
way.  If  placed  among  other  and  more  perishable 
leaves,  the  infusion  of  tannin  thus  created  will  act  as 
a  preservative,  and  entirely  prevent  their  decomposition. 
The  writer  learned  these  facts,  to  her  cost,  during  the 
first  season’s  experiments.  A  few  beautiful  Oak  leaves 
were  placed  among  a  large  number  of  other  varieties 
which  were  in  course  of  preparation,  and  not  until 
after  months  of  patient  waiting,  watchfulness,  and 
handling  did  she  discover  the  true  cause  of  her  disap¬ 
pointment,  when  it  was  too  late  in  the  season  to  repair 
the  loss.  The  reader  will  at  once  perceive  how  im¬ 
portant  are  these  rules  and  cautions,  thus  placed  at  the 
head  of  our  directions. 

Throughout  the  Middle  States,  by  the  fifteenth  of 
June,  most  of  the  desirable  leaves  Avill  be  found  fully 
grown,  and  many  of  them  are  then  old  enough  to 
gather.  Elms,  Swamp  Magnolias,  Maples,  Deutzias, 
Pears,  Silver  Poplars,  and  English  Sycamores  may 
be  selected,  but  none  but  the  firmest  and  most  perfect 
leaves  should  be  taken.  These  kinds  may  be  placed 
together  in  open  vessels  and  covered  with  soft  water, 
and  then  set  in  a  warm  or  sunny  place  in  the  open 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


25 


air.  A  broad  weight  may  be  placed  on  the  top,  so  as 
to  insure  continued  immersion.  A  newspaper,  doubled 
and  laid  over  the  top  of  the  leaves,  will  answer  the 
same  purpose  as  a  weight,  and  is  perhaps  better,  as  it 
keeps  its  place,  while  the  weight  sometimes  falls  to 
the  bottom  of  the  vessel.  The  best  vessel  for  the  pur¬ 
pose  is  a  common  earthen  jar  with  a  wide  mouth,  the 
size  to  be  proportioned  to  the  quantity  of  leaves  to  be 
macerated. 

At  the  end  of  six  weeks  the  paper  may  be  removed, 
and  a  few  of  the  leaves  carefully  taken  out  for  ex¬ 
amination,  and  placed  in  a  basin  of  clean  warm  water. 
To  do  this,  the  human  hand  is  the  best  instrument ; 
but,  as  many  persons  may  object  to  thus  dipping  into 
what  has  now  become  an  unpleasant  mass  of  vegetable 
decomposition,  a  broad  wooden  spoon  may  be  substi¬ 
tuted.  Then,  taking  a  leaf  between  the  thumb  and 
finger,  immerse  the  hand  in  the  warm  water,  and  press 
and  rub  the  leaf  either  gently  or  firmly,  according  to 
the  strength  of  its  texture.  This  rubbing  process  will 
remove  the  loose  green  matter  from  the  surface,  and 
expose  to  view  the  fibrous  network  of  the  leaf.  With 
those  which  are  strongest,  especially  the  Swamp  Mag¬ 
nolias,  a  brush  will  be  needed  to  effectually  clean 
them,  —  a  soft  tooth-brush  will  answer  best,  —  but  in 


3 


26 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


using  a  brush,  the  leaf  should  be  laid  in  the  palm  of 
the  hand,  on  a  plate,  or  on  any  other  surface  equally 
flat  and  smooth. 

This  constitutes  the  first  washing,  and  a  few  of  the 
leaves  will  now  be  found  perfectly  clear.  But  to  some 
of  them  thus  washed  and  but  partially  cleared,  further 
care  must  be  extended.  It  will,  therefore,  be  neces¬ 
sary  to  have  at  hand  a  second  vessel  of  water  similar 
to  the  first,  in  which  all  such  imperfectly  skeletonized 
leaves  may  be  placed,  where  they  must  remain  until 
finished,  which,  with  all  but  the  Swamp  Magnolias, 
will  probably  be  two  or  three  weeks  longer. 

We  may  suppose  that  the  artist  has  made  a  begin¬ 
ning  with  the  leaves  already  mentioned  in  this  chapter. 
On  taking  them  out  of  the  macerating  vessel,  and 
washing  them  as  directed,  she  will  find  the  Deutzias 
and  Silver  Poplars  perfectly  clean,  and  they  should 
then  be  placed  in  a  basin  of  clean  water,  until  all  the 
contents  of  the  macerating  jar  have  been  examined. 
A  few  of  the  Norway  Maples  will  also  be  found  per¬ 
fectly  prepared ;  but  the  majority  of  all  contained  in 
the  jar  will  still  be  only  partially  so. 

In  the  latter  condition  will  be  found  the  Sycamores, 
the  Silver  Maples,  the  Elms,  and  the  Pears.  These 
must,  consequently,  be  deposited  in  the  second  vessel, 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


27 


as  before  mentioned,  to  undergo  still  further  macera¬ 
tion.  The  Magnolias  will  require  another  two  or  three 
months’  soaking  before  the  outer  cuticle  will  become 
soft  enough  to  remove  ;  but,  if  more  convenient,  they 
may  be  placed  in  the  same  vessel  with  those  last 
named.  After  covering  these  half-cleaned  leaves  with 
water,  all  in  different  stages  of  progress,  they  should 
be  left  in  the  same  warm,  sunny  place  to  be  finished. 
IVe  may  here  remark,  for  the  comfort  of  the  learner 
who  has  persevered  thus  far  in  an  operation  which 
will  be  discovered  to  be  decidedly  unpleasant  to  her 
olfactory  organs,  that  the  most  offensive  portion  of  the 
labor  is  over,  at  least  with  this  particular  set  of  leaves, 
as  after  having  received  their  first  washing,  they  part 
with  most  of  the  putrefactive  odors  which  have  so  long 
pervaded  the  air  in  the  vicinity  of  the  macerating  jar. 

The  clear  and  perfect  leaves  which  were  deposited 
in  the  clean  water,  awaiting  a  leisure  hour  to  give 
them  further  attention,  may  now  be  deprived  of  their 
moisture  by  carefully  pressing  them  between  the  folds 
of  a  soft  towel  until  they  are  perfectly  dry.  On  no 
account  let  them  be  laid  on  a  table,  or  other  hard  sur¬ 
face,  while  in  a  wet  state,  as  in  drying  they  will  ad¬ 
here.  to  it  so  closely  as  to  tear  in  the  effort  to  remove 
them.  The  Norway  Maple,  being  extremely  delicate, 


28  *  PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 

will  adhere,  while  wet,  even  to  the  hand,  and  great  care 
must  he  exercised  in  removing  its  leaves  to  avoid 
tearing.  It  will  be  noticed  that  many  of  the  leaves 
will  lose  their  stems  in  passing  through  the  process ; 
but  the  mode  by  which  this  deficiency  is  to  be  sup¬ 
plied,  will  be  explained  in  its  proper  place  hereafter. 
When  dried,  the  leaves  may  be  placed  in  boxes,  ready 
for  bleaching  when  the  assortment  has  been  completed. 


BLEACHING  THE  LEAVES  AND  SEED 
VESSELS. 


HE  next  process,  and  one  of  great  im¬ 
portance,  is  that  of  bleaching  the  leaves, 
flowers,  and  seed-vessels.  It  is  an 
operation  which  requires  the  greatest 
care,  as  upon  the  perfect  whiteness  of  all  the  com¬ 
ponent  parts  of  a  bouquet  its  beauty  will  depend.  No 
matter  how  perfectly  the  leaves  and  seed-vessels  may 
have  been  skeletonized,  if  they  are  permitted  to  retain 
any  shade  of  their  original  yellorv,  they  are  deficient 
in  beauty,  at  least  to  the  eye  of  the  connoisseur. 

The  first  step  in  this  part  of  the  process  is  to  pro¬ 
cure  proper  bleaching  materials.  Many  persons  are 
entirely  successful  in  the  use  of  chloride  of  lime, 
3  *  (29) 


30 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


while  others  prefer  Labarraque’s  solution  of  chloride 
of  soda.  The  former  should  be  prepared  for  use  in 
the  following  manner :  Take  a  half  pound  of  strong 
chloride  of  lime,  and  place  it  in  an  earthen  or  other 
pitcher.  Add  three  pints  of  soft,  cold  water,  and  stir 
carefully  with  an  iron  spoon,  pressing  so  as  to  mash 
the  lumps  well  against  the  sides  of  the  vessel.  Keep  it 
covered,  and  allow  it  to  stand  in  a  cool  place  until  the 
lime  has  precipitated  upon  the  bottom  of  the  pitcher, 
which  will  be  done  in  about  an  hour,  except  a  small 
portion  that  may  remain  floating  on  the  surface.  This 
should  be  removed  with  a  spoon  or  skimmer,  after 
which  the  clear  liquid  should  be  poured  off  into  a 
bottle,  then  corked  up  tightly,  and  kept  in  a  cool 
place. 

When  ready  to  commence  leaf  bleaching,  take  a 
glass  jar,  such  as  is  used  for  pickles  or  preserves,  hav¬ 
ing  a  mouth  wide  enough  to  admit  the  largest  leaf. 
First,  select  those  intended  to  be  whitened,  but  be  care¬ 
ful  not  to  place  leaves  and  seed-vessels  in  the  same  jar ; 
then  with  soft,  clear  water  cover  the  leaves  in  the  jar, 
and  add  the  bleaching  solution  in  the  proportion  of 
two  tablespoonfuls  to  a  pint  of  water.  The  jar  should 
be  covered  tightly,  and  set  in  a  warm  place.  When 
coarse  seed-vessels  and  stems  are  to  be  bleached,  this 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


31 


proportion  of  the  chloride  of  lime  may  he  doubled,  but 
the  delicate  leaves,  and  especially  the  Ferns,  will  be 
destroyed  if  the  solution  be  made  too  strong. 

Labarraque’s  preparation  of  chloride  of  soda  acts 
gently  and  more  slowly,  and  being  free  from  the 
caustic  properties  of  the  lime,  is  less  likely  to  attack 
and  corrode  the  delicate  framework  of  the  leaves. 
The  quantity  of  this  solution  to  be  added  to  water, 
must  be  double  that  of  the  first  named  preparation. 
It  will  whiten  the  flowers,  Ferns,  and  more  tender  of 
the  seed-vessels,  but  it  is  not  strong  enough  to  act  on 
those  which  are  coarser  and  more  ligneous.  There  is 
great  difficulty,  however,  in  procuring  this  preparation 
of  the  required  freshness  and  strength,  as  its  bleaching 
properties  depend  entirely  on  the  amount  of  chlorine 
contained  in  it ;  and  this  being  a  very  volatile  gas,  it 
is  readily  lost  by  keeping  a  length  of  time,  even  when 
carefully  corked  and  sealed. 

The  best  preparation  for  this  purpose,  is  that  made 
expressly  for  use  in  whitening  these  skeleton  leaves, 
&c.,  and  may  always  be  had  of  J.  E.  Tilton  &  Co., 
or  their  agents.  One  bottle  of  this  will  whiten  a  large 
number  of  leaves,  without  injuring  the  fibre,  or  making 
them  brittle,  as  is  the  case  with  the  chloride  of  lime. 
The  proper  proportion  for  mixing  will  be  about  half  a 


32 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


teacupful  to  a  pint  of  Avater.  This  Avill  generally  Avliiten 
tAvo  sets  of  leaA'es  ;  that  is,  as  soon  as  those  first  put 
in  are  perfectly  white,  they  may  he  taken  out,  and  a 
second  lot  placed  in  the  same  mixture.  Sometimes, 
hoAvever,  it  Avill  be  necessary  to  add  a  small  quantity 
more,  say  a  tablespoonful,  in  order  to  complete  them. 
For  amateurs,  and  even  for  accomplished  artists,  a 
superior  solution,  thus  ready  prepared  to  their  hands, 
Avill  be  found  safer,  and  more  likely  to  insure  perfect 
success,  than  any  preparation  they  will  be  able  to  com¬ 
pound  for  themselves.  The  saving  of  trouble  in  using 
it  Avill  be  quite  a  consideration.  Had  the  Avriter  been 
able  to  purchase  it,  Avhen  commencing  her  labors,  it 
Avould  have  saved  her  many  losses  and  disappoint¬ 
ments.  But  that  so  great  a  help  can  iioav  be  obtained, 
affords  strong  evidence  of  the  advancement  of  the  art 
in  this  country. 

In  putting  the  delicate  leaves  into  the  jar,  care 
should  be  taken  to  arrange  them  beforehand  Avith  the 
stems  all  pointing  the  same  Avay,  that  is,  doAvmvard 
in  the  jar.  The  reason  for  this  exists  in  the  fact 
that  the  bleaching  commences  first  at  the  bottom  of 
the  vessel ;  and  as  the  thick  stems  and  mid-ribs  require 
more  time  to  AArhiten  them  than  the  lace-like  portion 
of  the  leaves,  it  insures  their  being  satisfactorily  fin- 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


33 


ished  in  a  short  time.  A  jar  of  leaves  will  usually 
require  from  six  to  twelve  hours  for  bleaching ;  hut 
as  the  jar  is  of  glass,  an  outside  inspection  will  en¬ 
able  the  operator  to  judge  of  the  degree  of  whiteness, 
without  raising  the  lid  until  it  may  he  time  to  remove 
them. 

When  they  are  discovered  to  be  entirely  white,  they 
must  be  taken  carefully  out  with  the  hand,  and  laid 
in  a  basin  of  clean,  warm  water.  If  suffered  to  re¬ 
main  too  long  in  the  jar,  they  will  become  too  tender 
for  removal.  They  may  then  be  thoroughly  washed 
from  the  chlorine,  by  changing  them  several  times  in 
fresh  water,  after  which  they  will  be  ready  for  their 
final  drying.  This  is  accomplished  as  before,  by  lay¬ 
ing  them  between  the  folds  of  a  soft  towel ;  while  the 
more  delicate  ones,  which  are  apt  to  curl  in  diying, 
should  now  be  laid  between  the  leaves  of  a  book, 
until  entirely  dry.  The  washing  is  a  very  important 
part  of  the  operation,  as,  if  not  thoroughly  done,  the 
bouquet  will  soon  become  yellow,  and  otherwise  dis¬ 
colored,  and  thus,  in  the  end,  lose  its  attractiveness 
and  beauty  as  a  parlor  ornament. 

As  before  stated,  it  will  be  advisable  to  keep  the 
seed-vessels  separate  from  the  leaves,  and  to  put 
them  in  different  bleaching  jars.  If  placed  promiscu- 


34 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


ously  in  tlie  same  jar,  the  seed-vessels  will  become  so 
entangled  in  the  fine  network  of  the  leaves,  that  in  the 
attempt  to  remove  them  the  latter  will  be  seriously 
injured.  Seed-vessels  and  flowers  require  the  same 
treatment  in  bleaching  and  washing,  only  remembering 
that  the  coarser  seed-vessels  may  need  a  stronger  in¬ 
fusion  of  the  bleaching  preparation.  A  little  experi¬ 
ence  will  soon  inform  the  operator  as  to  the  exact 
quantity  required  for  all  kinds  of  leaves  and  seed- 
vessels. 

The  bleaching  of  the  Ferns  will  need  some  special 
directions.  Many  who  have  succeeded  admirably  with 
leaves,  have  invariably  failed  in  their  attempts  at  pre¬ 
paring  these  graceful  sprays.  As  they  constitute  the 
most  brilliant  embellishment  which  can  be  introduced 
into  a  bouquet,  such  failures  are  especially  mortifying. 
But  by  closely  following  these  simple  directions,  there 
will  be  no  diflicnlty  in  producing  entire  sprays  of 
white  Fern  ready  to  be  arranged  with  other  materials 
for  the  bouquet. 

Having  gathered  Ferns  of  different  varieties  during 
their  season  of  maturity,  —  which  is  when  the  seeds 
are  to  be  found  on  the  back  of  the  leaves,  —  they 
should  be  preserved  by  pressing  them  between  the 
leaves  of  a  book,  there  to  remain  until  required  for 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


35 


bleaching.  When  ready  for  that  process,  let  the  opera¬ 
tor  select  such  as  she  desires,  and  place  them  carefully 
iu  a  jar,  causing  them  to  curl  around  the  sides  rather 
than  with  stems  downward,  in  order  to  avoid  breaking 
the  dry  and  brittle  leaves.  The  smaller  separate  leaf¬ 
lets  may  occupy  the  space  in  the  centre  of  the  jar. 
Then  fill  up  the  jar  with  warm  water,  leaving  room 
for  the  bleaching  solution,  in  the  proportion  of  half  a 
teacupful  of  Tilton’s  preparation  to  a  pint  of  water. 
Cover  the  jar  tightly,  and  set  in  a  very  warm  place. 
After  twenty-four  hours,  gently  pour  off  the  liquid,  and 
replace  with  fresh,  mixed  as  before.  They  should  re¬ 
main  in  the  second  water  about  forty-eight  hours,  when 
this,  in  like  manner,  will  require  to  be  changed.  In 
about  three  or  four  days  the  Ferns  will  begin  to  whiten 
at  the  edges,  and  this  whiteness  will  gradually  extend 
itself  over  the  entire  surface  of  the  spray,  changing  it 
from  a  dark,  brownish  green  to  the  spotless  purity  of  a 
snowflake.  Each  one  must.be  carefully  taken  out  as 
soon  as  it  is  seen  to  be  entirely  white,  without  waiting 
for  the  whole  contents  of  the  jar  to  be  finished. 

In  the  bleaching  of  a  large  spray,  it  sometimes  hap¬ 
pens  that  its  extremity,  perhaps  half  of  the  entire 
length,  will  become  perfectly  white,  while  dark  spots 
remain  on  the  upper  or  stem  end.  In  such  cases  it 


36 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


will  be  safest  to  take  out  the  branch,  and,  laying  it  in 
a  basin  of  water,  cut  off  the  white  portion,  and  return 
the  unfinished  remainder  to  the  jar.  Afterwards,  when 
both  are  ready  for  the  bouquet,  the  two  portions  can 
be  neatly  united  with  gum  arabic.  The  process  of 
changing  the  water  will  have  to  be  repeated  four  or 
five  times  during  the  operation  of  bleaching  the  same 
lot  of  Ferns,  and  the  time  required  to  whiten  them 
completely  will  extend  over  a  period  of  from  one  to 
two  weeks.  The  time  depends  on  the  varieties  of 
Ferns  which  may  be  used,  as  there  is  a  wide  difference 
in  their  susceptibilities,  some  being  wholly  unfitted  for 
this  purpose. 

When  the  sprays  are  found  to  be  entirely  white, 
they  must  be  taken  from  the  jar  with  the  fingers,  al- 
Avays  holding  them  by  the  stem,  and  laid  in  a  broad 
basin  of  clean,  warm  water,  where  they  should  be 
allowed  to  remain  for  se\'eral  hours.  They  may  be 
thoroughly  rinsed  by  changing  the  Avater  seA'eral  times, 
but  they  Avill  not  bear  handling  in  the  same  manner  as 
will  the  skeleton  leaves.  When  ready  to  be  dried, 
take  one  spray  by  the  stem  and  lay  it  in  a  broad  dish 
or  basin  of  water,  alloAving  it  to  float  on  the  surface ; 
then  pass  under  it  a  sheet  of  unsized  AAdiite  paper,  and 
in  this  Avay  lift  it  out  of  the  Avater.  The  spray  will 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


37 


cling  to  tlie  paper,  and  assume  its  natural  shape.  Should 
any  of  the  small  side  leaves  become  crooked  or  over¬ 
lapped,  they  may  be  readily  straightened  by  using  the 
point  of  a  pin  to  spread  them  out  in  proper  shape  upon 
the  paper.  To  get  rid  of  the  superfluous  moisture  con¬ 
tained  in  the  latter,  lay  the  sheet  first  on  a  soft  towel 
for  a  few  minutes.  The  towel  will  absorb  most  of  the 
excess  of  water.  After  that  it  must  be  laid  between 
two  other  sheets  of  the  same  unsized  white  paper,  and 
pressed  in  a  book. 

When  all  the  sprays  have  been  thus  removed,  and 
committed  to  the  keeping  of  the  book,  a  heavy  weight 
should  be  placed  on  it,  in  order  to  insure  their  drying 
smoothly.  If  desirable,  the  drying  may  be  accelerated 
by  changing  them,  after  a  day  or  two,  into  another 
book,  or  into  new  portions  of  the  first.  When  entirely 
dry,  if  some  of  the  thinner  varieties  are  found  to  ad¬ 
here  to  the  paper,  they  may  be  loosened  by  pressing 
the  thumb  nail  on  the  under  side  of  the  paper.  It  is 
better,  however,  even  after  they  are  thoroughly  pressed 
and  dry,  to  keep  them  shut  up  in  a  book  until  wanted 
for  the  bouquet,  as  they  have  a  tendency  to  curl  when 
exposed  to  the  air. 

The  writer  lias  given  directions  for  the  bleaching  of 
Ferns  only  by  the  new  preparation  of  Tilton  &  Co., 


4 


38 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


as  it  has  been  proved  to  be  the  most  reliable  com¬ 
pound  for  that  purpose.  She  lias  fully  tested  chloride 
of  lime,  and  finds  it  altogether  too  severe  for  these 
delicate  tissues,  while  the  solution  of  Labarraque  is 
much  slower  in  its  operation  —  one  bottle  of  the  new 
preparation  being  equal  in  strength  to  two  of  the 
article  last  named. 


ARRANGING  THE  BOUQUETS. 


AVING  thus  completed  the  different  pro¬ 
cesses  required  for  the  production  of  the 
Phantom  Bouquet,  with  boxes  well  filled 
with  a  complete  assortment  of  white 
and  perfect  leaves,  seed-vessels,  and  flowers,  the  artist 
comes  now  to  the  final  operation  of  combining  them  into 
tasteful  groups  or  bouquets,  under  glass  cases  or  shades. 
These  will  be  found  indispensable  to  the  permanent 
preservation  of  what  otherwise  would  be  a  fleeting  beauty. 
We  may  suppose  that  such  a  shade,  of  perfectly  white 
glass,  with  stand  to  receive  it,  has  been  provided. 

The  first  thing  required  will  be  to  form  a  cushion, 
either  of  blue  or  black  velvet,  these  colors  being  found 

(39) 


40 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


most  effectively  to  contrast  with  the  white  group  to 
be  placed  upon  them.  The  stand,  of  walnut  or  enamel, 
should  have  a  groove  upon  its  surface,  inside  of  the 
edge,  into  which  the  shade  will  drop  freely.  Having 
cut  the  velvet  of  the  proper  size  and  shape,  allowing 
for  the  necessary  stuffing,  the  cushion  may  be  prepared 
by  laying  raw  or  carded  cotton  on  the  bottom  of  the 
stand,  raising  it  rather  higher  in  the  centre,  and  tem¬ 
porarily  securing  the  circular  piece  of  velvet  by  means 
of  four  tacks  on  the  four  opposite  sides,  thus  equally 
dividing  the  whole  into  four  parts  ;  the  edge  may  then 
be  firmly  and  neatly  fastened  around  by  gluing,  and 
pressing  with  a  blunt-pointed  instrument,  until  it  ac¬ 
quires  a  proper  shape,  when  the  tacks  may  be  removed. 

The  operator  will  next  require  some  white  gum 
arabic,  dissolved  in  water  so  as  to  be  very  thick ;  and 
the  first  step  preparatory  to  the  arrangement  will  be 
that  of  supplying  stems  to  such  of  the  leaves  as  may 
have  lost  them  iu  the  process  of  maceration.  For  this 
purpose,  some  operators  use  the  old  stems  of  other 
plants  which  have  been  bleached  expressly  for  use,  as 
substitutes,  while  others  prefer  white  wire  covered  with 
paper ;  but  after  trial  of  both  these  expedients,  we 
give  the  preference  to  something  more  simple,  and 
which  possesses  the  additional  advantage  of  being 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


41 


always  within  reach,  as  well  as  being  less  liable  to 
become  discolored  by  age. 

Take  the  common  white  crochet  spool  cotton,  and 
coarse  sizes  of  sewing  thread,  to  be  found  in  every 
lady’s  work-basket,  and  stiffen  them  by  wetting  well 
with  gum  arabie.  When  dry  and  stiff,  stems  of  the 
required  length  can  be  prepared  by  gumming  neatly 
to  the  under  side  of  the  leaf,  allowing  the  new  stem 
to  extend  some  distance  along  the  central  rib  or  back¬ 
bone  of  the  leaf.  If  done  neatly  it  will  be  difficult  to 
detect  the  substitute.  These  stems  can  be  left  about 
two  inches  long,  which  will  be  sufficient  to  admit  of 
joining  to  form  branches,  &c.,  and  can  of  course  be 
cut  off  if  found  to  be  too  long.  Care  should  be  taken 
to  regulate  the  size  of  the  thread  used  by  the  require¬ 
ments  of  the  leaf;  a  large  leaf,  with  thick  mid-rib, 
calling  for  a  thick  and  substantial  stem,  while  a  deli¬ 
cate  leaf,  like  the  Ivy,  needs  a  finer  one. 

The  Ivy  leaf  should  always,  if  possible,  be  grouped 
so  as  to  form  wreaths,  as  nearly  as  may  be  in  ac¬ 
cordance  with  its  natural  habit  of  growth,  the  smaller 
leaves  being  placed  at  the  end  of  the  spray. 

Having  prepared  the  stems,  the  grouping  may  be 
gracefully  done  (if  the  bouquet  is  to  be  placed  under 
a  low,  broad  shade)  by  fastening  the  stems  securely, 
4  * 


42 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


with  a  little  of  the  thick  gum,  into  a  hole  made  in 
the  centre  of  the  cushion,  in  such  a  way  as  to  allow 
them  to  bend  over  slightly,  using  the  large  leaves  of 
the  Magnolia  species  as  a  beginning,  and  filling  in 
with  smaller  leaves  cf  other  varieties.  When  a  taller 
shade  is  to  be  used,  this  plan  will  not  answer  so  well, 
as  it  is  desirable  to  bring  the  group  higher  up,  so  as 
to  fill  the  shade.  A  piece  of  white  silk-wrapped  bonnet 
wire  will  answer  as  a  foundation,  the  upper  end  being 
covered  with  a  small  piece  of  white  wax. 

The  leaves  may  then  be  grouped  around  the  wire, 
and  tied  with  white  sewing  cotton,  placing  the  smaller 
or  medium-sized  leaves  at  the  top,  and  adding  the 
larger  ones  for  the  middle  of  the  bouquet.  These  last 
will  then  droop  over  gracefully  when  the  shade  is 
placed  over  them,  and  the  seed-vessels  and  Ferns,  which 
are  more  effective  when  arranged  in  groups  on  the 
velvet  cushion,  will  he  seen  plainly  through  the  lace¬ 
like  curtain.  When  the  central  stem  of  wire  has  been 
covered  about  two  thirds  of  its  length,  gum  the  lower 
end  and  insert  it  firmly  into  the  base,  having  punched 
an  opening  through  the  cushion,  reaching  down  into 
the  wood  itself ;  this  will  hold  it  entirely  firm.  One 
of  the  white  seed-vessels  of  the  Balsam  Apple  forms 
an  effective  vase-like  receptacle,  and  when  used,  the 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


43 


wire  may  be  passed  through  it,  before  being  gummed, 
into  the  stand.  The  group  thus  fastened  should  reach, 
in  the  centre,  to  within  three  inches  of  the  top  of  the 
glass,  the  leaves  of  course  rising  higher  as  they  curve 
upward  from  the  stem.  There  should  now  be  prepared, 
a  few  choice  sprays,  of  leaves  and  seed-vessels,  or  per¬ 
haps  a  group  of  Ferns,  and  fastened  into  the  cavity 
thus  created,  so  as  to  crown  the  whole,  and  give  it  an 
artistic  finish. 

On  no  account  should  large  and  heavy  seed-vessels, 
or  opaque  objects,  be  placed  near  the  top  of  the  bunch. 
We  have  seen  many  specimens  made  by  beginners,  in 
which  Stramonium  burrs  were  conspicuous  among  deli¬ 
cate  leaves  at  the  summit  of  the  bouquet.  Of  course, 
this  manner  of  arranging  them  detracts  considerably 
from  the  light  and  airy  appearance  of  the  whole  ;  and 
as  the  burrs  soon  become  discolored,  the  little  original 
beauty  of  such  productions  will  soon  be  gone,  the 
coarse  brown  burrs  becoming  an  unsightly  blemish, 
which  nothing  but  their  removal  from  the  bouquet 
can  repair. 

As  a  general  rule,  large  sprays  of  Fern  look  better 
and  wear  better,  when  placed  near  the  bottom,  or 
directly  on  the  velvet,  as  they  are  disposed  to  curl, 
especially  if  placed  in  the  bouquet  before  they  are 


44 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


perfectly  dry.  All  delicate  seed-vessels,  and  the  beau¬ 
tiful  flowers  of  the  Hydrangea,  show  to  great  advan¬ 
tage  on  the  raised  cushion,  while  the  large  leaves 
occupy  the  centre  of  the  group.  When  finished,  a 
piece  of  chenille  around  the  outer  base  of  the  shade 
will  serve  the  double  purpose  of  ornament  and  use, 
as  a  protection  from  dust.  On  no  account  should  the 
shade  he  fastened  down,  as  the  contraction  and  expan¬ 
sion  caused  by  changes  of  temperature  will  certainly 
crack  the  glass  if  it  he  glued  fast. 

Another  very  pretty  style  of  arrangement  is  in  a 
frame,  under  a  convex  glass,  using  a  background  of 
blue  or  black  velvet.  Leaves,  flowers,  and  ferns  may 
be  arranged  gracefully,  with  stems  downward,  as  in 
the  ordinary  bouquet,  and  these  afterwards  concealed 
by  a  large  seed-vessel  of  the  Balsam  Apple  or  Stra¬ 
monium.  These  latter  seed-vessels,  however  beautiful 
in  texture,  and  ivory-like  in  effect,  are  now  generally 
discarded  by  those  who  have  had  several  years  ex¬ 
perience  in  the  art,  on  account  of  their  tendency  to 
become  brown  with  age.  No  matter  how  white  and 
beautiful  the  leaves  may  be,  the  whole  effect  will  be 
marred  by  the  presence  of  a  single  unsightly  brown 
or  yellow  burr.  Some  have  adopted  this  style  of  the 
frame,  but  with  a  fiat  plate  glass,  having  the  whole 


PHANTOM  FLOW  EPS. 


45 


finished  as  a  table  top,  made  to  move  on  hinges, 
similar  to  the  papier-maclie  stands,  so  that  when  not 
in  use  it  may  stand  in  a  corner  in  an  upright  po¬ 
sition. 

Another  and  newer  style  is  the  black  velvet  cross, 
with  cushion  of  the  same  color  round  the  base,  with 
wreaths  or  vines  of  small  leaves  —  the  smallest  to  be 
had  —  entwined  around  it.  The  effect  of  this  arrange¬ 
ment  is  admirable,  as  it  shows  with  great  advantage 
the  beautiful  leaves  of  the  Ivy,  the  Deutzia,  the 
Wistaria,  the  Bignonia,  and  the  Silver  Poplar,  as 
they  are  displayed  upon  the  dark-colored  background. 
A  wooden  cross,  of  the  height  and  proportions  re¬ 
quired,  covered  neatly  with  velvet,  should  he  firmly 
glued  into  the  wooden  base,  and  the  white  vines 
formed  of  the  stiffened  crochet  cotton — the  little  stems 
which  are  to  connect  the  leaves  with  the  vine  being 
made  of  the  finer  thread.  The  exercise  of  a  nice 
taste,  with  some  little  mechanical  dexterity,  are  all 
that  will  be  required  to  produce  a  very  happy  effect. 
A  few  leaves,  Ferns,  and  small  seed-vessels,  grouped 
around  the  base,  complete  the  arrangement. 

Still  another  style,  suggested  by  the  desire  to  trans¬ 
mit  specimens  of  the  art  by  mail  or  otherwise,  to 
friends  at  a  distance,  consists  in  the  grouping  in  a 


46 


PHANTOM  FLOWEIiS. 


box,  having  a  dark  lining,  and  gumming  the  leaves 
on  the  bottom  of  the  box,  precisely  as  for  framing. 
The  bouquet  thus  sent  can  be  framed  by  the  receiver 
by  merely  cuttiug  off  the  rim  or  sides  of  the  box. 
A  deep  passe-partout  frame,  made  of  dark  paper, 
will  answer  very  well  for  small  bouquets.  Still  other 
designs,  wreaths  in  vases,  albums,  &c.,  will  suggest 
themselves  to  the  proficient  in  this  graceful  art ;  and 
with  accumulated  experience  will  come  enlarged  ideas 
of  the  beautiful,  whose  further  development  will  soon 
embellish  many  a  home  of  taste. 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


47 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 

ENTWINED  AROUND  A  CROSS. 

They  are  spirits  of  flowers  that  blossomed  and  died 
Long  since  in  the  garden  —  its  beauty  and  pride  ; 

Yet  they  rise  from  corruption,  in  robes  new  and  bright, 

As  vision-like  phantoms,  all  spotless  and  white. 

Gay  bodies  we  knew  have  gone  down  to  decay ; 

With  the  Winter’s  first  breath  they  have  withered  away ; 
But  a  change  has  come  o’er  them,  and  dream-like  and  fair, 
The  features  that  marked  them  they  once  again  wear. 

The  same  wondrous  tissue,  the  outline  and  grace 
Of  each  tiny  leaflet  and  blossom  we  trace, 

True  type  of  ourselves,  whose  poor  bodies  shall  rise 
From  the  grave  of  corruption,  the  heirs  of  the  skies. 

Dear  sign  of  our  hope,  of  salvation  the  key, 

The  purest  of  offerings  thy  chaplet  shall  be  ; 

Of  blossoms  unfading,  from  heavenly  bowers, 

We  twine  round  the  Cross  phantom  leaflets  and  flowers. 


ILLUSTRATED  LIST  OF  PLANTS  FOR 
SKELE  TONIZ  ING. 

N  describing  the  process  of  maceration 
in  a  previous  chapter,  we  have  en¬ 
deavored  to  give  such  clear  and  prac¬ 
tical  directions  as  will  apply  to  all 
varieties  of  plants.  But  there  are  certain  peculiarities 
which  seem  to  be  inherent  in  each  particular  leaf, 
seed-vessel,  and  flower,  so  as  to  call  for  specific  direc¬ 
tions,  in  order  that  success  may  be  insured  with  all. 
Instead,  therefore,  of  dismissing  the  subject  with  a 
mere  list  of  leaves  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  the  art, 
and  leaving  each  learner  to  discover  these  varying 
peculiarities  for  herself,  at  great  cost  of  time  and 
labor,  we  shall  give  a  few  general  rules  for  the  treat- 
(48) 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


49 


ment  of  each  one  named.  The  learner  will  need  all 
the  light  that  can  he  thrown  on  the  subject,  and  the 
minute  particulars  which  follow  will  contribute  largely 
to  her  successful  prosecution  of  the  art.  The  illus¬ 
trations  which  accompany  the  description  of  such  leaves 
as  are  most  important,  will  enable  the  reader  to  de¬ 
termine  the  names  of  doubtful  varieties.  • 

Magnolia. 

This  splendid  genus  of  trees  deserves  to  be  placed 
at  the  head  of  our  list  of  those  plants  whose  leaves 
are  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  our  art.  Its  varied 
species  are  to  be  found  on  the  eastern  shores  of  both 
the  great  continents  North  America  and  Asia.  The 
United  States  produces  no  less  than  eight  varieties, 
while  China  and  Japan  have  four  or  five.  Neither 
Europe,  Africa,  nor  South  America  can  offer  a  single 
species  of  indigenous  Magnolia. 

The  different  varieties  of  Chinese  Magnolia  have, 
with  one  or  two  exceptions,  been  acclimated  with  us, 
and  are  to  be  found  in  most  of  our  ornamental  shrub¬ 
beries,  their  lovely  white  and  purple  blossoms  and 
5 


50 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


spicy  fragrance,  together  with  the  neat  and  regular 
appearance  of  the  trees  themselves,  making  them  gen¬ 
eral  favorites.  Most  of  the  Chinese  varieties  will 
answer  for  our  purpose,  hut  we  give  preference  to  the 
following :  first,  — 


White  Chinese  Magnolia  ( Magnolia  consjoicua). 


This  variety  blossoms  during  April  in  the  Middle 
States,  and  by  the  Chinese  is  called  the  Lily  Tree,  from 
its  lily-shaped  flowers,  of  a  creamy  white  color.  The 
leaves  arrive  at  perfection  in  June,  and  may  be  gath¬ 
ered  for  maceration  between  the  15th  of  that  month 
and  the  middle  of  September.  After  that  time  the 
ravages  of  insects  begin  to  show  themselves. 

Magnolia  Purpurea  and  Magnolia  Soulangianna  are 
purple  varieties,  of  Chinese  origin,  and  may  be  gath¬ 
ered  and  treated  as  the  above-named.  From  four  to 
six  weeks  will  generally  be  long  enough  for  their  per¬ 
fect  maceration,  when  they  can  be  readily  cleaned  by 
the  aid  of  warm  water  and  rubbing  between  the 
thumb  and  finger. 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


51 


American  Swamp  Magnolia  (Magnolia  glauca). 

(Cut  No.  1.) 

This  is  the  fragrant  wild  Magnolia,  which  blooms  in 
June,  and  is  found  in  great  profusion  in  the  swamps 
and  marshes  of  New  Jersey.  When  transplanted  to 
the  garden,  the  leaves  are  produced  in  great  perfection, 
while  their  size  is  increased  by  cultivation.  They  are 
in  perfection  at  the  time  of  blossoming,  and  on  no  ac¬ 
count  should  be  gathered  later,  as  after  that  time  they 
become  too  tough,  and  abound  with  invisible  stings  of 
insects,  whose  injuries,  not  becoming  apparent  until 
after  the  cleansing  process  has  been  completed,  the 
otherwise  beautiful  leaf  will  be  found  covered  with 
small  black  spots,  which  can  neither  be  whitened  nor 
removed.  These  leaves  require  three  or  four  months 
to  macerate,  and  may  then  be  brushed  with  a  tooth¬ 
brush  to  remove  the  little  cellular  particles  which  fill 
up  the  interstices,  and  which  give  to  them  a  thick  and 
cloudy  appearance. 

Silver  Poplar  (Abele). 

(Cut  No.  3.) 

This  leaf  is  one  of  the  most  desirable,  as  well  as 
most  easily  cleaned,  since  it  requires  but  four  or  five 


52 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


weeks  to  macerate,  and  has  a  strong  fibre.  The  leaves 
of  this  tree  present  much  variety  of  shape,  and  the 
sizes  of  those  which  are  matured  vary  from  half  an 
inch  to  four  inches  in  length.  They  may  he  gathered 
as  early  as  the  1st  of  June,  and  generally  remain  free 
from  spots  until  September.  Avoid  the  foliage  of  the 
suckers,  which  are  frequently  found  growing  vigorously 
around  the  parent  tree,  as  the  fibres  of  such  leaves 
are  too  weak  and  tender  for  our  purpose.  They  will 
lose  their  stems  by  maceration,  but  these  may  be 
replaced,  as  directed  in  a  previous  chapter. 


Aspen  Poplar  ( Populus  tremula). 

The  leaf  of  this  tree  is  larger  than  that  of  the  pre¬ 
ceding,  and  is  also  more  delicate.  It  may  be  gathered 
in  June  or  July,  and  will  require  about  a  month  to 
macerate.  Great  care  will  be  necessary  in  handling 
them. 


Tulip  Poplar  ( Liriodendron  tulipifera) . 
Lombardy  Poplar  ( Populus  pyramidalis) . 

Botli  these  may  be  gathered  early  in  summer,  and 
should  be  treated  like  the  Aspen  Poplar. 


mm§M 


alwlpggpi 

■bMKmN 

iMRg&SpflH 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


53 


Norway  Maple  (Acer  platcmoides) . 

(Cut  No.  4.) 

The  most  beautiful  of  the  Maple  family,  in  shape 
and  general  adaptability,  to  the  present  purpose.  A 
single  branch  taken  from  one  of  these  trees  will  present 
great  variety  in  size  and  shape,  the  small  leaves  at  the 
extremities  cleaning  quite  as  perfectly  as  the  largest. 
They  should  be  gathered  by  the  20th  of  June,  cer¬ 
tainly  not  later  than  the  middle  of  July.  They  will 
be  finished  in  about  six  weeks,  losing  their  stems,  as 
is  invariably  the  case  with  all  the  Maples.  The  Silver 
Maple  may  be  treated  by  the  same  rule. 

Lindens  and  Weeping  Willows. 

(Cut  No.  16.  Willow.) 

These  two  desirable  leaves  may  be  gathered  in 
July,  and  will  macerate  in  from  six  weeks  to  two 
months.  They  need  very  careful  handling,  or  brush¬ 
ing  with  a  camel’s  hair  brush  on  a  plate. 


European  Sycamore  (Acer  pseudo-platanus) . 

(Cut  No.  6.) 

A  beautiful  leaf,  in  shape  somewhat  resembling  the 
Norway  Maple,  but  possessing  a  firmer  and  thicker 


5* 


54 


P HA NTOM  FLO  WE  E S . 


texture.  It  must  be  secured  early  in  June,  as  by  the 
close  of  that  month  it  becomes  unfitted  for  our  use, 
and  but  few  of  those  collected  after  the  20th  of  June 
will  come  out  entirely  free  from  clouds  or  blemishes. 
About  two  months  will  complete  their  maceration. 


Ash. 

(Cut  No.  5.  English  Ash.) 

There  are  several  species  of  this  family,  which  are 
admirably  adapted  for  our  object.  Of  these,  the 
Flowering  Ash  (  Ornus  Europceus )  and  the  English  Ash 
are  the  most  beautiful.  They  will  become  clear  and 
perfectly  skeletonized  in  about  six  weeks  after  gather¬ 
ing,  which  may  be  done  in  July  and  August. 


Everlasting  Pea,  or  Chichling  Vetch  (Lathy r us) . 

(Cut  No.  11.) 

This  pretty  garden  perennial,  with  an  abundance  of 
deep  pink  blossoms,  is  too  well  known  to  need  descrip¬ 
tion.  The  leaves  may  be  gathered  at  any  time  during 
summer,  and  require  but  a  few  weeks  for  maceration. 
They  lose  their  stems.  The  graceful  tendrils  of  this 
vine  may  also  be  placed  in  water  with  the  leaves, 


■ 


V 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


55 


and  after  remaining  some  weeks,  the  outer  cuticle 
can  be  easily  removed  without  untwisting  the  curl, 
and  these,  when  bleached,  will  be  found  ornamental 
to  the  bouquet,  especially  where  the  design  adopted 
consists  of  a  vine. 


Elm. 

The  leaves  of  this  beautiful  tree  must  be  gathered 
very  early.  Indeed,  so  soon  do  the  caterpillars  begin 
their  ravages,  that  in  some  sections  of  the  country, 
before  the  leaf  is  strong  enough  for  the  purpose  of 
the  skeletonizer,  it  is  too  much  eaten  to  be  worth 
collecting.  June  or  July  will  answer,  if  any  perfect 
leaves  are  then  to  be  found.  They  will  macerate 
in  about  four  weeks,  and  being  very  delicate,  will 
need  the  greatest  care.  If  the  leaf  be  laid  on  a 
plate,  or  something  similar,  a  camel’s  hair  pencil  will 
remove  the  softened  particles,  leaving  the  fibre  clean, 
to  be  floated  off  into  the  basin  of  water,  and  then 
laid  carefully  on  a  towel  to  dry. 

The  Evergreen  Elm  (  Ulmus  sempervipens)  (Cut  No. 
8),  is  a  small,  glossy  leaf,  with  scalloped  edges,  and 
may  be  used  at  any  season  of  the  year,  requiring  about 
three  months  for  its  perfect  clearing.  A  native  of 
France,  and  is  rare  in  America. 


56 


PHANTOM  FLOWEItS. 


Deutzia  Scabra,  or  Rough-Leaved  Deutzia. 

(Cut  No.  8.) 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  small  leaves  we  can  use. 
Gather  them  in  June  and  July.  They  will  be  per¬ 
fectly  skeletonized  in  three  or  four  weeks,  without 
losing  their  stems.  These  graceful  little  leaves,  with 
serrated  edges,  form  beautiful  wreaths  and  sprays, 
either  for  black  velvet  crosses,  or  to  be  twined  around 
the  base  of  a  bouquet. 

Deutzia  Gracilis,  another  variety  of  this  desirable 
garden  plant,  requires  somewhat  longer  for  its  perfect 
preparation. 

Beach,  Hickory,  and  Chestnut. 

These  leaves  contain  a  slight  portion  of  tannin,  and 
had  better  be  kept  separate  from  other  kinds.  A  few 
drops  of  muriatic  acid  added  to  the  water  in  which 
they  are  placed  for  maceration,  will  hasten  the  pro¬ 
cess.  They  may  be  gathered  in  July,  and  will  require 
several  months  to  become  completely  skeletonized. 

Dwarf  Pear,  Sassafras,  and  Althea 

(Cut  No.  0.) 

Gather  in  July.  They  require  about  two  months. 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


57 


Rose. 

(Cut  No.  7.) 

The  common  annual  blooming  dark  velvet  Rose 
furnishes  the  best  description  of  leaves  for  our  pur¬ 
pose.  They  should  he  gathered  in  July  before  the 
insects  have  stung  them,  and  will  require  about  two 
months’  soaking.  They  are  very  delicate,  and  must 
be  brushed  on  a  plate. 

White  Fringe  Tree  ( Chionanthus  Virginica ). 

Gather  in  July.  Will  be  ready  for  clearing  in 
about  two  months. 

Dutchman’s  Pipe  ( Aristolochia  tomentosa). 


This  is  a  rather  coarse  vine,  of  rank  growth,  well 
suited  for  covering  unsightly  buildings  or  decaying 
trees.  It  bears  a  curious  ivhite  blossom,  shaped  some¬ 
what  like  a  pipe,  whence  it  takes  its  homely  name. 
The  leaves  are  heart-shape,  of  thick  and  woolly  texture, 
but  the  skeletons  they  produce  are  so  exceedingly  beau¬ 
tiful  as  to  make  them  indispensable  to  a  complete 


58 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


collection.  They  should  be  taken  from  the  vine  not 
earlier  than  the  middle  of  July,  and  perfect  speci¬ 
mens  may  be  obtained  as  late  as  the  middle  of 
September,  —  probably  about  the  first  of  August  will 
be  the  best  time.  Select  the  firmest  and  oldest  leaves. 
Some  of  them  will  be  clear  in  four  weeks  after  im¬ 
mersion. 


Ivy. 

(Cut  No.  17.) 

These  much  admired  leaves  may  be  gathered  at 
any  time  during  the  year,  always  selecting  those  a 
year  old  in  preference  to  the  younger  growth  of  the 
present  season.  The  Ivy  leaf,  like  some  others,  has 
a  tough  outer  cuticle  on  each  side,  between  which 
the  fibrous  skeleton  is  concealed,  the  intermediate 
space  being  filled  with  the  green  cellular  matter  com¬ 
mon  to  all  leaves.  During  the  process  of  macera¬ 
tion  this  green  substance  becomes  dissolved,  though 
the  outer  skin  remains  whole  and  entire.  When 
taken  from  the  macerating  vessel  and  laid  in  the 
clean  water  for  cleansing,  this  skin  will  present  the 
appearance  of  a  bladder  filled  with  green  water.  By 
puncturing,  or  gently  tearing  this  skin  on  one  or  both 


I 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


59 


sides  of  the  leaf,  the  water  will  escape,  and  the 
perfect  skeleton  will  float  out,  ready  for  rinsing  and 
drying.  Four  or  five  weeks  will  be  sufficient  to  allow 
for  their  preparation,  although  some  varieties  require 
a  few  weeks  longer. 

Holly. 

(Cut.  No.  12.) 

This  leaf  is  quite  difficult  to  clear  properly,  owing 
to  the  tough  outer  cuticle  adhering  so  tenaciously  to 
the  thorns  on  the  edges,  as  to  tax  the  ingenuity  and 
patience  of  the  operator  in  removing  the  one  without 
breaking  off  the  other.  For  this  reason  most  amateurs 
give  up  after  the  first  attempt,  and  content  them¬ 
selves  with  more  beautiful  and  less  troublesome  sub¬ 
jects.  About  three  months  is  the  time  necessary  for 
skeletonizing  them ;  and  being  evergreens,  they  may 
be  gathered  at  any  time. 

W  istaria,  Bignonia,  Greenbrier,  and  Wild  Yam,  all 
vines  that  are  tolerably  well  known,  may  be  skel¬ 
etonized  by  the  usual  process  in  from  six  weeks  to 
three  months,  and  should  be  gathered  about  the 
middle  of  July. 

Of  greenhouse  plants,  the  leaves  of  Camellia  Japon- 
ica,  Cape  Jasmine,  Laurestina,  and  Caoutchouc  may 


GO 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


be  done  after  months  of  soaking.  A  shorter  process, 
however,  which  some  parties  prefer  for  all  descriptions 
of  leaves  to  the  slower  method  which  we  have  adopted, 
is  found  to  answer  well  for  these  particular  species. 
Their  tough  epidermis  requires  something  more  than 
the  ordinary  sluggish  operation  of  water  and  summer 
heat  to  soften  and  remove  them.  The  process  con¬ 
sists  in  boiling  them  for  several  hours  in  strong  soap¬ 
suds,  using  the  ordinary  chemical  soap  of  the  shops. 

This  will  generally  succeed  with  these  last  named 
plants,  but  for  those  which  are  tender  and  delicate,  as 
before  described,  it  is  too  severe.  Besides  this,  the 
chemical  properties  of  the  soap  affect  the  leaf  in  so 
peculiar  a  way  as  to  increase  the  difficulty  of  bleach¬ 
ing  ;  and  notwithstanding  all  possible  care  be  taken 
to  wash  after  the  boiling  process  is  over,  enough  of 
the  refractory  element  remains  to  defeat  all  attempts 
to  make  the  leaf  perfectly  and  permanently  white. 
Therefore,  while  we  mention  the  process,  as  an  item 
of  information  due  to  'the  learner  who  desires  to 
understand  the  Avliole  routine,  and  to  test  for  herself 
the  various  modifications  of  practice  now  in  use,  yet 
we  prefer  and  still  adhere  to  our  own  formula,  as  at 
first  described.  We  consider  it  the  best,  and  by  far 
the  most  reliable,  although  it  is  unquestionably  slow 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


Cl 


and  tedious  in  all  its  various  processes.  Our  motto 
in  this  art  must  be  “  Festina  lente.” 

In  concluding  our  list  of  these,  the  most  desirable 
leaves  that  have  so  far  come  under  our  own  observa¬ 
tion,  we  would  by  no  means  limit  the  researches  and 
experiments  of  other  artists.  Different  localities  will 
unquestionably  furnish  different  specimens,  and  thus 
their  collections  may  be  greatly  enlarged  by  the  adop¬ 
tion  of  new  and  more  beautiful  leaves.  As  a  general 
rule  to  govern  in  the  selection  of  appropriate  subjects 
for  experiment,  let  those  of  strong  and  woody  fibre  be 
chosen,  rather  than  thick,  fleshy  leaves,  whose  veins  or 
ribs  may  be  soft  and  juicy.  Avoid,  also,  those  which 
have  veins  traversing  the  leaf  in  a  longitudinal  direc- 
tion,  instead  of  forming  a  network  tissue  radiating 
from  the  mid-rib  to  the  outer  edges  of  the  leaf.  The 
former  are  known  as  endogenous,  the  latter  as  exoge¬ 
nous  varieties  of  leaf  structure.  As  an  example  of  the 
endogenous,  Ave  may  cite  the  leaves  of  different  kinds 
of  Lilies.  If  put  into  the  macerating  vessel,  a  few 
days,  or  a  Aveek,  Avill  be  sufficient  to  reduce  them  to 
a  mass  of  pulp,  resembling  a  bunch  of  thread  or 
strings,  Avith  apparently  no  connecting  framework  to 
hold  the  fibres  together  in  form.  The  practised  eye 
can  in  most  cases  discover  the  character  of  the  leaf 


6 


62 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


under  observation,  by  merely  holding  it  up  against  the 
light,  when  the  veinwork  will  be  plainly  perceptible, 
and  its  value  decided  by  the  closeness  or  coarseness 
of  its  vascular  structure. 

We  add  the  following,  as  having  been  successfully 
skeletonized :  — 

Horse  Chestnut  (JEsculus  hippocastanum) . 

Kentucky  Coffee  Tree  ( Ginnocladus  Canadensis). 

Flowering  Pear  ( Pyrus  Japonica). 

Andromeda. 

Rose  Acacia  ( Bobinia  Jiispida). 

Witch  Hazel  ( Hamamelis  Virginica),  said  to  be  very 
beautiful,  —  should  be  gathered  early. 

Wild  Cherry  ( Cerasus  serotina). 

Sugar  Berry  ( Celtis  occidental^) . 

Fraxinella  Dictamnus. 

Franciscea,  —  very  beautiful. 

Erythrina  Crystigalla. 

Virgilia  Lutea. 

Matronia. 

Barberry  ( Berberis  aristata ,  and  purpurea). 

Mountain  Laurel  ( Rhododendron ). 

Box. 

Butcher’s  Broom  ( Ruscus  liypophyllum). 


IFFERENT  varieties  of  the  Ground 
Cherry  family  (. Physalis )  are  entitled 
to  particular  notice.  The  peculiar 
characteristic  of  this  family  of  plants 
is  the  berry,  enclosed  in  a  bladder-like  receptacle. 
These  berries  are  about  the  size  of  cherries,  with 
color  yellow,  red,  or  purple,  and  having  a  pleasant, 
sweet  taste.  The  green  covering  becomes  of  a  yel¬ 
lowish  color  when  the  fruit  is  ripe,  and  they  fall 
to  the  ground  together,  when  the  curious  case  will 
soon  become  perfectly  skeletonized  by  contact  with 
the  damp  ground.  But  as  they  are  very  liable  to  be 
eaten  by  insects  while  on  the  ground,  it  is  much 

(63) 


64 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


better  to  gather  them  as  soon  as  they  fall,  and  place 
them  in  the  macerating  vessel,  allowing  the  berry 
inside  to  remain  until  softened,  in  order  to  avoid 
tearing  the  delicate  little  bladder.  Two  or  three 
weeks  will  be  sufficiently  long  to  allow  for  their 
preparation.  They  may  be  washed,  by  passing  rap¬ 
idly  to  and  fro  in  hot  water,  when  the  softened  berry 
may  be  pressed  out,  then  dried  with  a  soft  towel. 
Some  species  lose  their  stems,  and  may  be  prepared 
for  the  bouquet  by  using  the  gummed  thread,  being 
careful  to  bend  gracefully,  so  as  to  give  the  effect  of 
drooping. 

W  ilo  Hop  Ptelia  trifoliata) . 

(Cut  No.  2.) 

This  is  a  membranous  capsule  surrounded  by  a 
leafy  border,  which,  after  about  two  weeks’  soaking, 
becomes  very  lace-like  and  beautiful.  Before  bleach¬ 
ing,  the  seed  may  be  removed  by  making  an  incision 
on  one  side  of  the  capsule,  being  careful,  when  after¬ 
wards  arranging  it,  to  place  that  side  downwards. 

ISiicandra  Physaloides. 

One  of  the  most  desirable  and  showy  for  this  pur¬ 
pose.  The  blue  Nicandra  should  be  cultivated  by  all 
makers  of  the  Phantom  Bouquet.  The  calyx  of  the 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


65 


plant,  enclosing  first  the  flower,  and  afterwards  the 
seed  capsule,  is  of  a  curious  balloon  shape,  of  bright 
green  until  the  seed  is  ripe,  when  it  becomes  brown¬ 
ish.  Each  one  has  a  tough  stem,  which  is  retained 
through  maceration,  and  is  attached  to  the  stalk  of 
the  plant,  the  latter  being  covered  by  the  calyxes,  at 
a  distance  of  an  inch  apart,  quite  to  the  end  of  the 
branch.  This  calyx  seems  to  be  formed  of  five  dis¬ 
tinct  divisions,  like  leaves,  which,  when  pressed  open 
and  bent  in  proper  shape,  has,  after  bleaching,  every 
appearance  of  a  flower.  To  increase  the  variety  in 
the  bouquet,  they  can  be  used  both  in  their  natural 
form  to  represent  buds,  or  in  the  way  described. 
They  require  about  three  weeks  to  macerate,  when 
they  may  be  cleaned  in  hot  water,  aided  perhaps  by 
the  tooth-brush.  A  whole  branch  may  be  done  with¬ 
out  separating  from  the  main  stem. 


Thorn  Apple  :  Jamestown  Weed  ( Datura  Stra- 
monium ) . 

A  well  known  rank  wayside  weed,  very  poisonous 
to  the  taste,  but  not  to  the  touch.  The  seed-vessels 
should  be  gathered  when  ripe,  and  soaked  about  six 
weeks,  when,  by  aid  of  a  stiff  brush,  the  beautiful 


6* 


66 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


skeleton  will  appear.  When  bleached,  they  resemble 
carved  ivory,  and  are  much  admired  in  the  bouquet. 
The  only  drawback  to  their  value  is  their  tendency 
to  become  brown  again  after  bleaching.  For  this 
cause  we  have  entirely  discarded  them. 

Wild  Cucumber,  or  Balsam  Apple  ( Echinosystis ). 

This  is  one  of  the  most  curious  specimens  in  our 
list  of  beautiful  seed-vessels.  It  is  said  to  grow  in 
abundance  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston,  bearing  a 
profusion  of  seed.  The  seed-vessels  vary  in  size  from 
an  inch  to  nearly  two  inches  in  length,  and  about 
half  that  in  thickness.  They  become  perfect  skeletons 
on  the  vine,  where  they  should  be  allowed  to  remain 
until  the  frost  has  opened  them  and  dropped  the  seed. 
If  not  entirely  clear  when  gathered,  they  may  be 
completed  by  a  few  weeks’  soaking.  They  form 
beautiful  vase-like  receptacles  for  the  base  of  the 
bouquet,  and  as  they  retain  their  whiteness,  are  excel¬ 
lent  substitutes  for  the  Stramonium  burrs. 

Lobelia. 

The  little  wild  species  is  very  beautiful,  with  its 
delicate  globes  set  along  the  stem.  About  three  weeks 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


67 


will  do  for  them,  when  they  will  become  clear  by 
passing  to  and  fro  in  a  basin  of  hot  water. 

Skull  Cap  (i Scutellaria). 

These  delicate  clusters  of  seed-vessels  may  he  skel¬ 
etonized  in  two  or  three  weeks,  and  cleared  in  the 
same  way  as  the  Lobelia. 

Shell-Flower  ( Phyton  Concha). 

A  curious  shell-shaped  calyx,  with  four  seeds,  which 
remain  in  the  extreme  point  of  the  horn.  The  plant 
is  rare,  and  rather  difficult  to  cultivate.  It  seems  to 
belong  to  the  Sage  family,  and  has  an  aromatic  odor 
when  pressed.  The  calyx  is  very  delicate,  and  Avill 
macerate  in  ten  days  or  less.  When  seen  in  a  group 
of  Phantom  Leaves,  they  somewhat  resemble  the  Con¬ 
volvulus  blossom. 


Poppy. 

The  cultivated  garden  varieties  will  macerate  in  a 
week  or  two.  The  fibre  does  not  remain  very  per¬ 
fect,  at  least  in  a  general  way,  as  it  is  apt  to  tear 
by  removal  of  the  inner  skins.  But  the  star-shaped 
summit  of  the  capsule  looks  well  upon  the  velvet 


68 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


cushion.  The  black  lines  which  radiate  from  the 
centre  may  be  removed  by  aid  of  a  pin,  when  a 
beautiful  lace-work  appearance  will  be  imparted  to  it. 


Mallows. 

Several  varieties.  The  common  garden  Mallows, 
with  calyx  enclosing  seeds,  are  the  prettiest.  They 
grow  in  clusters,  and  if  suffered  to  remain  until 
frost,  will  become  skeletonized  on  the  plant. 


Hydrangea  IIortensia. 

(Cut  No.  13.) 

The  well  known  garden  species  —  the  bunches  should 
be  left  on  the  plant  until  late  in  September,  in 
order  to  become  firm.  Separate  into  small  bunches, 
leaving  not  more  than  four  or  five  in  a  cluster. 
They  will  require  about  ten  or  twelve  weeks  for 
maceration,  and  may  then  be  cleansed  by  passing  to 
and  fro  in  hot  water,  changing  the  water  frequently 
as  it  becomes  filled  with  the  loose  particles.  If  some 
of  the  leaves  are  separated,  they  can  easily  be  re¬ 
placed  after  bleaching  by  gum  arabic. 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


69 


Hydrangea  Quercifolia  :  Oak-Leaved  Hydrangea. 

(Cut  No.  14.) 

This  is  a  tougher  and  coarser  species,  composed 
of  four  flat  petals.  It  requires  longer  time  to  macer¬ 
ate  than  the  Hydrangea  Ilortensia,  hut  should  be 
gathered  as  soon  as  the  bunches  begin  to  turn  brown 
on  the  tree.  A  brush  will  be  necessary  to  clear 
properly. 

Campanula. 

The  seed-vessels  of  the  several  species  of  these, 
including  the  Canterbury  Bell,  are  much  admired  in 
the  bouquet,  although  not  so  delicate  as  the  Lobelia, 
which  they  resemble.  Some  varieties  will  become 
sufficiently  prepared  on  the  plant,  and  only  require 
bleaching,  but  others  need  two  or  three  weeks’ 
maceration. 

To  the  above  list  the  following  may  be  added :  — 

Black  Henbane  ( Hyoscyamus  niger ). 

English  Monkshood  ( Aconitum  Napellus) . 

Toad  Flax  ( Colutea  arbor  escens) . 

Wild  Salvia. 

Figwort  ( Scrophularia  nodosa). 


70 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


Jerusalem  Cherry  ( Solarium  pseudo-capsicum). 

Bladder  Nut  ( Staphylea  trifolia) 

Safflower:  False  Saffron  ( Carthamus  tinctoria). 

False  Pennyroyal  (Isanthus  cerula). 

Lily  of  the  Valley:  The  dried  Flowers. 

In  concluding  these  instructions  in  the  art  of  pre¬ 
paring  and  completing  the  Phantom  Bouquet,  we  have 
endeavored  to  be  plain  and  practical  in  every  par¬ 
ticular,  seeking  not  only  to  direct  the  learner  in  her 
experiments,  but  also  to  guard  her  against  the  mis¬ 
takes  and  disappointments  which  must  invariably  attend 
the  labors  of  the  unassisted  amateur.  If  the  details 
here  given  have  appeared  minute  and  tedious,  let  the 
reader  remember  that  in  these  very  trifles  consist 
the  true  elements  of  success. 

When  the  first  bouquets  appeared  for  sale  in  this 
country,  the  admiration  they  excited  awakened  a  gen¬ 
eral  curiosity  as  to  the  process  by  which  they  were 
produced.  Inquiries  were  addressed  to  the  editors 
of  some  of  our  scientific  journals,  but  they  could 
answer  only  according  to  their  own  very  limited 
knowledge  of  the  art  ;  and  hence  this  occasional 
information  was  exceedingly  vague  and  unreliable, 
and,  indeed,  it  often  misled  the  learner,  resulting  in 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


71 


discouragement  to  some,  and  in  entire  disgust  to 
others. 

The  writer  has  here  given  her  own  practical  rides 
and  ideas,  adopted  from  actual  experience,  and  no 
careful  learner  need  hesitate  to  follow  in  her  foot¬ 
steps.  But,  however  invaluable  instruction  may  be  to 
the  beginner,  personal  experiment  will  be  found  in¬ 
dispensable.  We  cannot  write  up  the  amateur  to  the 
position  of  an  artist.  Yet  a  desire  to  reach  the 
status  of  the  latter  will  stimulate  to  exertion  and 
perseverance,  and  these,  ivith  ordinary  taste  and  skill, 
will  surely  be  rewarded  with  success.  None,  there¬ 
fore,  whose  love  for  the  truly  beautiful  in  art  is 
deep  and  strong,  and  whose  aspirations  for  eminence 
are  decided  and  sincere,  will  permit  a  few  early 
discouragements  to  turn  them  aside  from  the  under¬ 
taking. 


THE  WON  DEBS  AND  USES  OF  A  LEAF. 


S  intimated  in  a  preceding  chapter,  the 
prosecution  of  this  new  study  by  one 
whose  attention  had  never  been  directed 
to  botanical  investigations,  will  unfold  a 
world  of  novelties  to  which  she  had  heretofore  been  a 
stranger.  She  will  insensibly  become  a  botanist.  The 
leaves  becoming  her  peculiar  study,  she  will  be  sur¬ 
prised  by  the  discovery  of  peculiarities,  and  charmed 
by  the  revelation  of  beauties,  which  she  did  not  imagine 
as  existing  in  the  leafy  world.  From  a  desire  to  ex¬ 
tend  her  knowledge  of  the  subject,  she  will  consult  the 


numerous  botanical  authorities  which  crowd  the  shelves 
(72) 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


73 


of  the  nearest  library,  and  thus  her  interest  in  a  study 
so  elevating  and  refining,  will  be  increased.  From 
these  she  will  learn  a  multitude  of  facts,  such  as 
nothing  short  of  the  most  elaborate  chemical  analysis 
could  have  detected,  some  of  which  will  be  found  pe¬ 
culiarly  relevant  to  the  study  in  hand. 

It  would  be  out  of  place  to  crowd  these  pages  with 
extended  extracts  from  botanical  authorities  ;  but  a 
brief  summary  from  some  of  them,  in  relation  to  the 
structure  and  functions  of  a  leaf,  will  he  quite  appro¬ 
priate.  All  plants,  in  a  general  sense,  receive  their  food 
in  a  soluble  state,  through  their  roots.  The  tree  receives 
its  supply  of  minerals,  such  as  silex,  lime,  alumina, 
potassa,  and  magnesia,  also  in  solution.  The  sap,  thus 
charged  with  nourishment,  ascends  the  trunk,  traverses 
the  branches,  and  passes  into  the  leaf.  The  superflous 
water,  which  held  the  nourishment  in  solution,  passes 
otf  by  perspiration  from  the  leaf,  but  the  plant  refuses 
to  part  with  the  nourishment  contained  in  the  water. 
This  is  distributed  throughout  the  plant,  a  portion 
being  deposited  in  the  cells  of  the  leaf.  The  wonderful 
plexus  of  minute  vessels  which  traverses  its  whole 
cellular  tissue  becomes  clogged  as  the  season  advances, 
its  circulating  functions  gradually  cease  to  operate,  and 
long  before  winter  they  are  wholly  suspended.  The 


7 


74 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


leaf  loses  its  hold  on  the  parent  spray,  and  finally 
falls  to  the  ground. 

Chemistry  lias  proved  that  at  this  period  it  contains 
a  large  amount  of  mineral  matter.  The  autumnal 
leaf  contains  a  much  larger  proportion  than  when  it 
was  young  and  succulent ;  hence  the  facility  of  macer¬ 
ation  in  summer,  and  the  impossibility  of  doing  so  in 
autumn.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  the  leaf  con¬ 
tains  a  larger  proportion  of  mineral  matter  than  the 
body  of  the  tree.  Thus,  the  dried  leaves  of  the -Elm 
contain  more  than  eleven  per  cent,  of  earthy  matter, 
while  the  wood  contains  less  than  two  per  cent.  The 
Beech,  the  Willow,  the  Pitch  Pine,  ■  and  other  trees, 
present  differences  almost  as  great. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  properties  of  the  leaves 
is  their  power  of  decomposing  carbonic  acid,  thus 
enabling  them  to  contribute,  in  common  with  the  roots, 
to  the  growth  of  the  plant.  The  largest  part  of  all 
plants  consists  of  carbon  and  the  elements  of  water. 
The  woody  fibre  is  formed  of  carbon,  hence  the  growth 
and  increase  of  all  trees  and  plants  are  dependent  on 
their  capacity  for  taking  up  and  digesting  this  sub¬ 
stance.  But  they  neither  find  it  nor  take  it  up  in  a 
free  or  simple  state,  but  in  the  form  of  carbonic  acid, 
that  is,  carbon  combined  with  oxygen.  This  carbonic 


PBAjSTTOM  flowers. 


75 


acid  pervades  the  atmosphere,  from  which  the  leaves 
are  constantly  separating  it  from  the  oxygen,  and  ap¬ 
propriating  its  carbon  as  a  continuous  contribution  to 
the  growth  of  the  plant.  The  roots,  by  a  process  of 
their  own,  in  like  manner  extract  the  same  substance 
from  the  carbonic  acid  of  the  water  around  and  below 
them,  and  convey  it  upward  into  the  body  of  the  plant. 
But  much  the  largest  portion  of  the  carbonic  acid 
which  forms  the  food  of  plants,  is  absorbed  by  the 
leaves. 

As  carbon,  and  not  carbonic  acid,  is  the  food  of 
plants,  the  power  of  decomposing  the  latter,  so  as  to 
leave  them  in  possession  of  the  former,  and  of  expel¬ 
ling  the  superfluous  oxygen,  is  therefore  indispensable 
to  their  growth.  In  reality,  the  leaves  are  the  lungs, 
as  their  functions  are  strikingly  analogous  to  those 
performed  by  the  lungs  of  animals.  The  green  leaves 
of  a  growing  plant  absorb  carbonic  acid  ;  they  expose 
it  to  the  action  of  the  sun’s  light  ;  the  oxygen  is 
separated  from  the  carbonic  acid,  and  is  given  out 
by  the  leaves  ;  the  carbon  remains,  and,  entering 
into  the  system  of  the  plant,  immediately  increases 
its  bulk. 

The  growth  and  vigor  of  the  tree  depend  on  the 
rapidity  with  which  this  decomposition,  or  digestion  of 


7G 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


carbonic  acid,  goes  on.  The  leaves  must  not  only  be 
exposed  to  the  light,  but  their  color  .must  be  green. 
Such  plants  as  have  been  grown  in  the  dark  are  in¬ 
variably  feeble  and  destitute  of  strength  and  substance, 
but  they  are  also  without  color.  This  is  owing  to  the 
deficiency  of  carbon  ;  for  while  they  may  absorb  car¬ 
bonic  acid  from  the  air,  the  absence  of  sunshine  pre¬ 
vents  them  from  separating  it.  When  the  leaves  lose 
their  natural  green  color,  it  is  evidence  of  disease. 
The  plant  has  in  great  measure  lost  its  power  of 
digesting  its  food,  and  remedies  must  be  resorted  to 
to  remove  the  cause.  The  books  abound  in  instances 
of  all  descriptions  of  plants  being  thus  affected,  while 
the  remedial  agencies  are  happily  quite  as  numerous, 
and  in  many  cases  entirely  successful. 

Such  are  the  powers  of  absorption  possessed  by  the 
leaves.  Their  capacity  for  giving  off  exhalations  are 
equally  wonderful.  Botanists  have  carefully  measured 
the  extent  of  this  exhalation  in  certain  plants.  An 
Apple-tree,  with  twelve  square  feet  of  foliage,  per¬ 
spires  nine  ounces  of  water  per  day.  A  Vine  of  similar 
dimensions  exhaled  from  five  to  six  ounces  daily.  A 
Sunflower,  three  and  a  half  feet  high,  was  found  to 
perspire  at  the  rate  of  twenty  to  thirty  ounces  of 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


77 


moisture  every  twelve  hours,  or  seveuteeu  times  more 
than  a  man. 

These  facts  prove  that  the  greater  portion  of  the 
crude  liquids  which  are  taken  up  by  the  roots  of  a 
plant,  passes  off  into  the  atmosphere  through  the  leaves. 
The  quantity  of  moisture  thus  appropriated  by  some 
plants  must  be  enormous,  as  the  foregoing  experi¬ 
ments  with  small  ones  sufficiently  prove.  Large  trees, 
presenting  a  great  expanse  of  foliage,  must  necessarily 
exhale  immense  amounts  of  moisture.  Thus,  forest 
lands  which  are  wet,  and  even  swampy,  become  dry 
on  being  cleared.  Gardens  which  are  unduly  crowded, 
are  generally  damp  from  the  copious  exhalations  pro¬ 
ceeding  from  excessive  foliage.  From  the  same  cause 
proceeds  the  dampness  in  houses  whose  exterior  is 
enveloped  by  shrubs  or  running  vines. 

From  the  large  proportion  of  mineral  matter  con¬ 
tained  in  the  leaves,  it  is  evident  that  the  same  sub¬ 
stances  existing  in  the  earth  must  be  annually  circula¬ 
ting  from  one  to  the  other.  The  roots  extract  them 
from  the  soil,  they  ascend  the  tree  with  the  sap,  and 
are  deposited  in  the  leaves.  Having  given  them  co¬ 
herency  and  strength,  and  having  probably  performed 
other  functions  which  are  yet  unknown  to  either 
botanist  or  chemist,  the  fall  and  decay  of  the  leaves 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


returns  these  mineral  ingredients  to  the  earth.  With 
the  succeeding  year  the  mysterious  circuit  is  repeated, 
the  tree  enlarging  in  bulk,  and  the  forest  soil  increas¬ 
ing  in  richness.  Such  forest  soils,  instead  of  being 
impoverished  by  the  growth  of  trees,  receive  back  an¬ 
nually  the  greater  portion  of  those  mineral  elements 
necessary  to  the  tree,  with  much  organic  matter  re¬ 
ceived  into  the  plant  from  the  atmosphere.  The  roots 
suck  up  these  minerals  from  great  depths,  but  the 
leaves  deposit  them  on  the  surface.  The  surface  soils 
arc  therefore  gaining'  instead  of  losing. 

o  o  o 

These  annual  deposits  of  leaves  upon  a  forest  soil 
are  indispensable  to  the  vigor  of  the  trees.  If,  for 
neatness’  sake,  the  owner  of  a  park  or  grove  should 
sweep  away  the  autumnal  deposit,  and  continue  to  do 
so  for  a  term  of  years,  he  would  ultimately  remove 
so  large  a  quantity  of  mineral  matter  as  to  impov¬ 
erish  the  ground,  and  greatly  check  the  growth  of 
the  trees.  It  is  because  of  the  peculiar  deposits  found 
in  all  leaves,  that  leaf  manure  is  prized  so  highly  by 
every  intelligent  gardener.  While  generally  regarded 
as  a  purely  vegetable  substance,  leaves  are  perhaps 
the  best  mineral  manure  that  can  be  applied  to  the 
soil.  It  is  alleged,  moreover,  on  very  high  authority, 
that  the  most  efficient  manure  for  any  plant  is  found 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


79 


in  the  decomposed  leaves  and  trimmings  of  its  own 
species. 

The  science  which  enables  ns  to  understand  not  only 
the  history,  the  names,  the  virtues,  and  the  associa¬ 
tions  connected  with  all  plants,  as  well  as  the  wonder¬ 
ful  relations,  the  admirable  laws  which  govern  their 
structure,  and  the  important  part  they  bear  in  the 
economy  of  the  universe,  is  worthy  of  the  careful  study 
of  every  intelligent  person.  lie  will  find  it  worth 
while  to  become  familiar  with  a  science  which,  wher¬ 
ever  his  steps  may  lead  him,  from  the  bleak  mountain- 
top,  crusted  over  with  mosses  and  lichens  only,  to 
warm  and  luxuriant  tropical  valleys,  where  the  mag¬ 
nificence  of  vegetable  wonders  almost  bewilders  the 
senses,  will  still  furnish  him  with  new  subjects  for  ad¬ 
miration.  It  will  make  his  morning  walk  in  the  gar¬ 
den  or  over  the  meadow  a  new  delight.  A  tramp 
along  the  commonest  field  path,  or  a  ramble  by  the 
wayside,  which,  to  the  eye  of  the  dull  and  unlearned, 
may  be  mean  and  barren,  he  will  find  rich  in  interest 
and  exuberant  in  beauty.  No  thinking  person,  whose 
home  is  in  the  country,  and  who  loves  Nature,  would 
fail  to  find  in  such  studies  an  inexhaustible  fund  of 
gratification.  The  fields,  the  forests,  the  entire  land- 


80 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


scape  have  a  positively  different  and  altogether  new 
meaning  to  one  who  sees,  not  only  the  general  beauty 
of  the  whole  display,  but  who  also  studies  with  delight 
every  detail  of  fern,  or  shrub,  or  forest  tree  in  the 
foreground. 


LEAF  PRINTING. 

T  will  sometimes  be  desirable  to  make 
impressions  of  the  skeletonized  leaves, 
either  for  preservation  as  curiosities  in 
the  scrap  book  or  photographic  album, 
for  transmission  by  mail  as  specimens  of  the  art,  or 
for  the  engraver  to  reproduce  on  wood.  The  making 
of  these  impressions,  direct  from  the  leaves,  though  an 
exceedingly  simple  process  when  once  understood,  re¬ 
quires  much  care  and  skill  to  learn.  Whoever  may 
undertake  to  produce  them,  should  call  in,  if  possible, 
the  aid  of  some  friend  who  has  a  practical  knowledge 
of  printing,  as  the  processes  by  which  books  and  news¬ 
papers  are  produced  are  all  applicable  to  leaf  printing, 

(81) 


82 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


The  operator  should  procure  a  spoonful  of  printer’s 
ink,  and  with  a  case  knife  spread  a  small  quantity 
over  half  the  surface  of  a  marble  slab  about  a  foot 
square.  When  spreading  the  ink  on  the  slab,  let  it  be 
confined  to  one  end  of  it,  not  letting  it  cover  more 
than  half  the  stone.  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  allow 
thick  streaks  or  ridges  of  ink,  but  to  spread  a  thin 
film  or  covering,  as  uniform  as  possible.  As  printing 
ink  is  a  thick  and  paste-like  compound,  which  stiffens 
in  cold  weather,  if  the  operation  is  to  be  performed 
when  the  temperature  is  low,  the  stone  should  be 
slightly  warmed  before  the  ink  is  laid  on.  The  warmth 
will  render  the  ink  sufficiently  fluid  to  operate  in  a 
satisfactory  manner.  If  no  marble  slab  can  be  con¬ 
veniently  obtained,  then  a  smooth  board,  about  an  inch 
thick,  may  be  substituted.  The  board  will  not  require 
to  be  warmed. 

When  the  stone  has  been  supplied  with  ink  as  above 
directed,  a  roller  is  passed  several  times  over  it,  until 
the  whole  surface  of  the  roller  becomes  coated.  It 
will  take  up  the  ink  in  unequal  quantities,  that  is, 
more  in  one  place  than  in  another,  with  just  as  much 
irregularity  as  it  had  been  laid  upon  the  stone  with 
the  knife.  This  irregularity  must  now  be  remedied, 
and  the  ink  distributed  over  the  entire  surface  of  the 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


83 


roller  with  absolute  uniformity.  This  is  quickly  ac¬ 
complished  by  frequently  passing  the  roller  to  and  fro 
over  that  half  of  the  stone  on  which  no  ink  had  been 
spread.  But  in  so  doing,  care  must  be  taken  to  oc¬ 
casionally  lift  it  from  the  stone,  and  to  give  it  a  half 
revolution  before  again  putting  it  down,  so  that  its 
surface  shall  come  in  contact  with  new  portions  of  the 
surface  of  the  stone.  By  following  these  directions 
the  ink  will  become  distributed  evenly  over  the  face  of 
the  roller,  whence  it  will  be  transferred  with  corre¬ 
sponding  uniformity  to  the  delicate  framework  of  the 
leaf,  and  will  produce  a  perfect  impression  of  its  most 
complex  veinwork.  If  the  ink  is  not  thus  nicely  dis¬ 
tributed  on  the  roller,  the  interstices  in  the  leafy  struc¬ 
ture  will  become  filled  with  it,  and  the  impression 
will  present  an  unsightly  blotch. 

For  taking  impressions,  thin  letter  paper  will  be 
found  the  best,  if  it  be  nicely  glazed  and  free  from 
ridges  or  water-marks.  It  should  first  be  cut  into 
pieces  about  the  desired  sizes,  and  then  slightly  sprin¬ 
kled  with  clean  water,  say  two  or  three  pieces  first. 
On  these  as  many  dry  ones  should  be  laid,  and  they 
sprinkled  in  turn,  then  more  dry  ones,  then  another 
sprinkling,  and  so  on  until  the  whole  quantity  has  been 
sprinkled.'  Let  the  pile  lie  for  half  an  hour,  or  until 


84 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


the  paper  has  absorbed  all  the  water.  Then  take  the 
pieces,  one  at  a  time,  and  turn  them  over,  placing  the 
first  on  a  board,  and  the  others  on  top  of  the  first,  but 
shifting  them  about  as  they  are  turned  ;  that  is,  if  a 
very  wet  end  or  corner  is  observed  in  one  piece,  turn 
the  piece  around,  so  that  the  excessively  wet  places 
shall  come  in  contact  with  dryer  surfaces  in  the  new 
pile.  Be  particular  to  smooth  all  wrinkles  with  the 
back  of  the  thumb  nail.  If  the  paper  has  been  made 
too  wet,  the  accident  can  be  remedied  by  interposing 
dry  pieces  between  two  wet  ones.  When  the  whole 
has  been  turned,  put  a  slight  weight  on  the  pile  to 
press  all  down  smooth,  as  much  depends  on  having 
the  paper  in  perfect  order. 

Being  now  ready  to  commence  the  printing,  a  leaf 
is  placed  on  a  smooth  board,  with  its  under  side  up¬ 
permost,  as  there  the  leafy  veins  or  ribs  are  more 
prominent  than  on  the  upper  side.  The  roller  having 
been  charged  with  ink,  it  is  rolled  to  and  fro  over  the 
leaf  until  the  latter  is  seen  to  have  received  a  suf¬ 
ficient  supply.  Three  or  four  times  going  over  will 
generally  be  enough.  Then  lay  the  leaf  on  the  top 
sheet  of  the  damp  paper  pile,  with  the  inked  side 
down,  and  over  it  place  a  doubled  sheet  of  dry  paper, 
press  on  with  the  left  hand  so  tight  that  the  leaf  shall  not 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


85 


move,  and  with  the  thumb  nail  of  the  right  hand  rub 
pretty  hard  over  the  whole  leaf.  This  pressure  of  the 
thumb  nail  will  transfer  the  ink  on  the  leaf  to  the  sur¬ 
face  of  the  damp  paper,  and  if  the  inking  has  been 
carefully  done,  a  clear  and  distinct  impression  will  be 
obtained.  If  duplicates  are  desired,  repeat  the  opera¬ 
tion.  If  the  impression  is  not  entirely  satisfactory, 
then  try  one  from  the  upper  surface  of  the  leaf.  The 
printed  sheet  should  be  immediately  placed  between 
the  leaves  of  a  thick  book,  there  to  remain  until  dry, 
when  it  will  come  out  nicely  pressed,  and  smooth  as 
before  being  dampened. 

The  best  form  of  roller  is  made  by  taking  a  piece 
of  india-rubber  hose,  say  an  inch  or  two  in  diameter, 
about  five  inches  long,  and  forcing  it  over  a  round 
stick,  leaving  handles  projecting  at  the  ends.  If  the 
surface  of  the  rubber  is  very  uneven,  it  should  be 
made  uniform  by  covering  it  with  thick  buckskin. 
Where  the  rubber  hose  cannot  be  readily  obtained,  a 
covering  for  the  stick  may  be  made  by  winding  round 
it  several  thicknesses  of  cloth  or  flannel,  and  covering 
it  with  buckskin.  When  done  printing,  the  ink  should 
be  washed  from  both  stone  and  roller  by  turpentine, 
ley,  or  strong  soap-suds. 

Failure  in  the  first  attempts  should  not  discourage 


8 


86 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


the  operator.  The  process  is  a  very  simple  and  easy 
one,  and  a  few  trials  will  generally  insure  success. 
All  the  impressions  contained  in  this  volume  were 
taken  for  the  engraver  by  the  process  described  above. 
None  but  the  most  perfect  leaves  should  be  used,  as 
any  blemish  will  be  reproduced  in  the  impression. 


COMMERCIAL  VALUE  OF  THE  ART. 

HEX  a  novelty  in  science,  art,  or 
manufactures  becomes  the  candidate 
for  public  favor,  the  first  consideration 
with  the  many  is,  —  Will  it  pay  ? 
With  American  minds  especially,  this  is  the  con¬ 
trolling  idea.  An  art  is  esteemed  valuable  in  pro¬ 
portion  to  its  power  of  enriching  the  discoverer.  The 
benefit  or  pleasure  it  may  confer  on  the  community 
is  a  secondary  matter,  as  men  usually  make  new 
discoveries  for  their  own  exclusive  gain.  Whatever 
share  the  public  may  receive  is  incidental,  but  even 
then  they  are  required  to  pay  for  it.  The  invention 
of  a  new  machine  is  valuable  to  the  originator,  not 

(87) 


88 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


because  the  community  is  to  be  benefited,  but  because 
it  will  be  compelled  to  purchase  largely.  So  also 
with  all  processes  throughout  the  range  of  human 
wants.  Each  has  its  salable  or  commercial  value. 
But  few  inventors  or  philosophers  originate  or  discover 
solely  for  the  public  good. 

Applying  these  tests  to  the  art  we  have  illustrated, 
it  would  seem  evident  that  it  is  wholly  deficient  in 
commercial  value.  As  an  invention,  it  is  not  new. 
As  the  common  grain  fan  had  been  used  for  ages 
in  China,  before  the  Dutch  discovered  it  and  trans¬ 
planted  it  to  their  own  country,  whence  it  was  sub¬ 
sequently  domesticated  here,  so  the  art  of  skeleton¬ 
izing  flowers  had  existed  in  Asia  for  centuries  before 
it  became  known  in  Europe.  Like  what  is  yet  known 
as  the  Dutch  fan,  which  no  sooner  reached  this 
country  than  American  ingenuity  transformed  it  from 
a  sluggish  and  imperfect  crudity  into  a  rapid  and 
efficient  machine,  so  this  art,  under  the  touch  of 
American  taste  and  shrewdness,  has  been  made  to 
take  high  rank  among  the  most  beautiful  creations 
of  genius.  But  here  the  parallel  ceases.  Fans  can 
be  manufactured  by  machinery,  and  every  farmer 
who  produces  grain  must  have  one.  They  are  arti¬ 
cles  of  necessity,  not  of  luxury.  Though  there  be 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


89 


a  limit  to  their  consumption,  yet  the  consumption  is 
nevertheless  large  enough  to  give  to  the  article  a 
great  commercial  value. 

But  machinery  cannot  be  applied  to  the  production 
of  these  delicate  tissues.  Their  preparation  is  essen¬ 
tially  an  art,  not  a  manufacture.  Like  the  chiselling 
of  a  statue,  which  must  be  done  by  the  slow  labor 
of  the  artist  himself,  so  can  their  beauties  be  un¬ 
veiled  only  by  the  most  skilful  hands.  The  statuary 
may  employ  an  ordinary  workman  to  hew  away  the 
superfluous  mass  beneath  which  lies  concealed  the 
graceful  creation  of  his  genius,  but  it  is  doubtful  if 
a  journeyman  skeletonizer  could  be  trusted  with  a 
single  department  of  the  process.  The  artist  must 
depend  more  entirely  on  herself  than  even  the  stat¬ 
uary.  Hence,  a  manufacture  which  will  not  admit  of 
the  aid  of  machinery,  and  which  is  so  peculiarly 
delicate  as  to  exclude  that  of  even  human  assistance, 
can  have  no  commercial  value.  Extensive  production 
is  impossible.  The  world  may  be  readily  supplied 
with  grain  fans,  but  a  corresponding  abundance  of 
skeleton  flowers,  were  there  a  proportionate  demand 
for  them,  is  beyond  the  reach  of  even  American 
ingenuity.  Could  they  have  been  as  rapidly  dupli¬ 
cated  as  apple-parers  or  nut  crackers,  they  would  have 
long  since  ceased  to  be  a  novelty. 


90 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


Neither  is  universal  adoption  the  gauge  by  which 
all  merits  are  to  be  estimated.  As  the  contemplation 
of  an  exquisitely  chiselled  statue  will  stimulate  high 
and  noble  thoughts,  such  as  refine  the  heart  and 
awaken  in  it  new  and  lofty  aspirations,  so  do  all 
other  works  of  genuine  art,  no  matter  to  what  depart¬ 
ment  they  may  belong.  The  present  century  has 
shown  us  that  all  art  is  progressive,  and  that  between 
its  progress  and  the  advance  of  a  generally  refined  taste, 
there  is  a  parallelism  too  distinct  to  be  overlooked. 
The  production  of  a  skeletonized  flower  is  one  contri¬ 
bution  to  the  general  sum  of  advancement.  The 
flower  may  be  less  imposing  than  the  statue,  or  the 
canvas,  but  it  is  a  far  more  elaborate  marvel,  com¬ 
bining  in  a  single  subject  a  revelation  of  the  wonders 
of  the  Divine  Hand  so  intricate,  yet  so  harmonious, 
that  the  chisel  of  the  statuary  or  the  pencil  of  the 
painter  might  seek  in  vain  to  rival  it.  The  advent 
of  this  should  therefore  be  hailed  as  a  new  star  in  the 
galaxy.  It  will  contribute  its  full  share  to  the  general 
fund  of  innocent  and  rational  gratification.  Taste  will 
appreciate  its  productions,  genius  will  consecrate  them, 
and  the  devout  will  cherish  them  as  affording  new 
incentives  for  veneration. 

The  art  is  one  which  seems  designed  for  female 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


91 


hands  exclusively.  If  some  of  its  attendant  operations 
are  unpleasant,  all  are  yet  delicate  and  gentle.  No 
rude  hand  can  manipulate  these  tender  fibres  but  to 
destroy  them.  As  an  equivalent  for  deficient  com¬ 
mercial  value,  their  production  will  afford  employment 
to  minds  which  cannot  fail  to  be  thus  informed,  invig¬ 
orated,  and  enlarged.  Every  where  the  effect  will  be 
to  elevate  and  refine.  Should  the  study  be  found  dif¬ 
ficult  and  abounding  with  disappointments,  it  will  teach 
the  learner  perseverance.  If  it  have  its  discourage¬ 
ments,  it  will  be  found  to  have  its  gratifications  also. 
Success  in  such  an  art  will  be  worth  achieving ;  and 
few  will  be  found  so  selfish  as  not  to  be  proud  of 
seeing  that  their  friends  have  conquered  it.  Commer¬ 
cial  value  is  evidently  a  most  imperfect  standard 
of  merit. 


HE  preservation  of  Flowers,  in  their 
natural  forms  and  colors,  is  an  entirely 
new  article  of  trade  that  has  arisen 
in  Germany.  Erfurt,  the  city  of 
nurserymen  and  florists,  excels  in  manufacturing 
bouquets,  wreaths,  floral  decorations  for  rooms,  din¬ 
ner  tables,  etc.,  made  of  such  flowers.  We  are  glad 
that  we  are  enabled  to  lay  before  our  readers  the 
modus  operandi ,  by  translating  for  them  the  following 
article  from  the  Deutsches  Magazin  fur  Garten  und 
Blumenkunde. 

First  condition  :  get  a  lot  of  fine  sand,  wash  it  till 
all  the  soluble  particles  are  gone  —  you  can  test  it 

(92) 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


93 


by  pouring  the  water  off  till  it  looks  quite  clear ; 

when  you  are  quite  sure  of  the  fact,  pour  the  sand 
on  stones  or  boards  placed  aslant,  so  that  the  Avater 
can  run  off,  and  let  it  get  dry  either  by  sun  or 

fire  —  dry,  perfectly  dry.  Then  pass  the  sand  through 
a  sieve,  so  that  all  dusty  particles  disappear  from 

it,  as  there  will  be  such,  which  washing  and  drying 

will  not  lia\re  removed.  Then  pass  through  a  coarse 
sieve,  so  as  to  get  rid  of  too  large  grains.  When 

that  is  done,  your  sand  should  be  a  mass  of  fine 

particles,  of  nearly  equal  size,  as  is,  for  instance,  the 
so-called  silver  sand,  used  for  writing.  Keep  the 
sand  in  a  very  dry,  if  possible,  also,  in  a  Avarm  place, 
that  no  \italizing  quality  may  remain  in  it. 

Noav  for  the  floAvers  :  cut  them  in  a  fully  developed 
state,  taking  care  that  they  are  neither  Avet  nor  moist 
by  deAV,  rain,  etc.  If  you  cannot  obtain  them  in  any 
other  condition,  which  is  to  be  regretted,  then  the 
folloAving  troublesome  proceeding  will  render  them  dry. 
Take  one  or  tAvo  floAvers  at  a  time  and  put  them 
into  a  glass,  into  which  pour  just  enough  Avater  that 
the  ends  can  stand  in  it ;  the  flower  Avill  then  dry, 

and  still  suck  up  Avater  enough  not  to  fade. 

Next,  get  a  box  or  pot,  or  any  thing  large  enough 
to  receive  your  floAver  or  floAvers ;  pour  sand  enough 


94 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


into  it  that  they  will  stand  by  themselves,  their 
stems  embedded  in  the  sand.  And  now  for  that  job, 
which  calls  upon  your  whole  skill  and  your  most 
delicate  lingering ;  don’t  be  afraid ;  though  practice 
renders  that,  too,  a  comparatively  easy  matter.  You 
have  to  fill  up  the  box  above  the  level  of  the  flowers 
with  sand,  so  that  the  flowers  are  completely  embedded 
in  it.  By  means  of  a  tube,  or  a  funnel,  or  a  sieve, 
just  accordingly,  you  can  do  it  in  such  a  way  that 
every  particle  of  the  flower  rests  in  sand,  and  that 
your  iilling  up  shall  not  have  crumpled  or  displaced 
the  smallest  petal.  Of  course,  such  a  thing  can  be 
done  only  in  a  very  slow  way  by  a  beginner. 

And  now  take  care  not  to  shake  your  box,  else 
the  flower  inside  might  get  hurt.  Carry  it  to  a 
place  both  dry  and  warm,  that  all  the  moisture  in 
the  flower  may  pass  into  the  sand,  which,  being 
porous,  is  in  turn  acted  upon,  and  will  let  the 
moisture  pass  entirely  out  and  get  evaporated.  Avoid, 
however,  positive  heat,  or  the  colors  of  the  flower 
will  fade ;  whilst  at  too  low  a  temperature,  the 
moisture  in  the  flower  will  not  dry  quickly  enough, 
and  so  rot  it.  The  warmth  should,  as  a  general 
thing,  never  exceed  one  hundred  degrees. 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


95 


When  you  are  sure  that  your  flowers  have  fully 
dried,  —  a  thing  a  very  little  practice  in  touching  the 
box  will  teach  you, — the  thing  is  done.  Open  the 
box,  and  by  holding  it  in  a  slanting  direction,  let  so 
much  sand  run  out  that  you  can  lift  the  flower  by 
the  stem ;  by  turning  it  upside  down,  shaking  it 
gently,  and  if  necessary,  blowing  on  it,  all  the  sand 
will  be  removed,  and  you  have  the  flower  in  its 
most  perfect  form.  A  little  brittle,  to  be  sure,  in 
such  a  dry  state  as  this,  and  therefore  requiring 
careful  handling.  But  a  few  days’  exposure  to  the 
atmosphere  will  have  imparted  moisture  enough  to 
the  flower  to  make  it  considerably  less  brittle. 

You  now  see  Avhy  we  cannot  do  with  the  larger 
grains  of  sand  ;  they  would  press  unequally,  and  spoil 
the  flower,  which  forever  retains  all  the  marks  of 
such  pressure  ;  nor  with  the  dusty  particles  of  the 
sand,  because  they,  as  well  as  the  soluble  particles 
which  we  have  removed  by  washing,  would  adhere 
to  the  hairy  and  velvety  parts  of  the  flower,  would 
never  be  got  rid  of,  and  would  materially  impair 
the  original  beauty. 

For  the  same  reason,  glabrous  flowers  are  not  fit 
u  subjects.”  The  very  newest  feature,  however, 


93 


PHANTOM  FLOWERS. 


about  this  business,  is,  that  this  discovery,  how  to 
preserve  flowers  in  their  natural  state,  is  quite  an 
old  affair,  long  forgotten,  and  solely  resuscitated  by 
the  increasing  demand  for  bouquets. 


. 


